A police spokesman said Friday that Chinese police will enforce the law "firmly," including the possible use of firearms, to stop school attackers.

Wu Heping, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security, told a press conference here that the killing of innocent children must be condemned by the whole society.

"If offenders dare to attempt such crimes again, the police will enforce the law firmly without hesitation, in line with the Criminal Law and police code of using guns and other weapons," Wu said.

A 48-year-old man killed seven children and two women at a kindergarten in northwest China's Shaanxi Province Wednesday, and then committed suicide.

In March, a man killed eight elementary school children in Nanping City, Fujian Province.

Police nationwide will conduct a "thorough" inspection of schools and nurseries, especially private ones and those in rural and remote areas, to close security loopholes, Wu said.

Local police are asked to find every possible security threat and patrol around schools more frequently, he said.

In Beijing, police will patrol around school compounds ten minutes before students go to school and ten minutes before they are dismissed.

Schools are required to tighten security checks, with support from the police, he said.

He called all citizens to be aware of possible attacks and report suspects to the police.

"We will also work to help solve disputes, and provide psychological counselling for people suffering mental problems," he said.

Related

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• Wen vows to address root causes of school attacks
• Increased security at Beijing schools
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