Residents are literally fighting back against thieves and petty criminals in Guangzhou.

Hospitals are treating more thieves who had been caught and beaten by residents and others who had been injured trying to escape, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

A man was admitted to Guangzhou Air Force Hospital on Sunday with broken legs after allegedly robbing an 80-year-old woman near Tianhe Road at around 11 AM. The woman was pushed to the ground and had her bag robbed. As the man ran off, a nearby newspaper stall owner shouted "robbery!" A security guard chased him and other people also joined in the chase.

The man was hit by a motorcycle as he was running across Guangzhou Road. He was taken by ambulance to hospital.

A Doctor Cao at the hospital said another three thieves had been taken to the hospital after being injured when they were caught.

Other hospitals had also receiving similar cases recently.

"Besides those who are injured by people who catch them, some were injured while running away," said a nurse surnamed Zhao at the Guangzhou Military General Hospital.

Most people interviewed said the increase in the number of injured thieves was because more residents and security guards were helping to catch them.

(Shenzhen Daily November 10, 2004)