In the Dongmen Pedestrian Precinct, one of the busiest areas in Shenzhen, a special team of policewomen can be seen patrolling everyday, catching the eyes of passers-by, even more than the assorted gadgets strapped to their sides.

The nine policewomen, ranging from 21 to 25 years old, are almost all fresh graduates from police colleges. Every day they work on two shifts from 7 a.m. to noon and noon to 6 p.m. to maintain safety in the precinct. All speak English and can help foreigners if needed.

"Some foreign tourists and those from Hong Kong and Taiwan are so surprised to see us patrolling and like to take pictures with us," said Pan Yu.

Policewomen in China generally do office work and rarely patrol streets, especially in groups.

The team was founded last October.

"As the only team in Shenzhen exclusively made up of policewomen, it was formed to narrow the distance between police and the public," said Xiao Wenliang, a spokesman for the Dongmen police station.

Their routine work can be tedious. Walking in the precinct more than a dozen times a day, they are not allowed to enter stores for personal reasons or to casually chat with each other.

"But it's nice to contact so many people, help them and be trusted," said Pan.

(Shenzhen Daily February 17, 2004)