Police in this south China city have promised to prevent robbery in which cars and vans are used.

"There are fears that the use of cars and vans in robberies will increase since the authorities banned motorcycles from plying in the city proper from January 1 this year. But police will spare no efforts to prevent such crimes," Wu Sha, director of Guangzhou Bureau of Public Security, said last week.

Street robberies are still a serious public security problem in the capital of Guangdong Province, threatening local residents and tourists alike, Wu told a work conference on the city's security.

He hinted that more special campaigns would be launched to prevent and solve robbery cases to ensure a sound social environment during the lunar new year that falls on February 18 this year.

Guangzhou still has the country's highest crime rate despite progress being made in law enforcement, Wu said.

Police will crack down especially on robberies that take place in the city's inner streets and lanes that have fewer police patrols.

Burglaries too have increased in the past few months because gangs were forced to give up riding motorcycles, Wu said. But he said he believes the special anti-crime campaign will bring down the rate of such cases.

Wu has promised to increase police patrols, too, and posted more armed policemen and plainclothes officers to prevent robberies and burglaries.

More attention will be paid to fighting crime in the city's busy commercial areas, railway stations, bus terminals, major streets and scenic spots, he said.

(China Daily January 23, 2007)