Beijing dispatched more than three million police and security staff during the just-concluded traditional Spring Festival, or the Chinese lunar New Year holidays, resulting in drastic drop in the criminal cases.

According to the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, reports to police declined remarkably from Feb. 8 to 15. No reports of serious crime, fires, group deaths and injuries were made during the festival period.

The public security organs beefed up patrol and inspection around the bustling downtown areas, places of recreation and celebration, scenic sites, squares and shopping centers.

Beijing hosted more than 100 temple fairs, exhibitions, theatrical performances, which were visited by more than 4 million city residents and tourists.

The Forbidden City, Summer Palace and 12 other major parks received more than 3.7 million holidaymakers.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2005)