Netizens help police fight against theft in south China city
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-09 16:34

Internet surfers in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, have been active in helping the police in catching pickpockets, mainly by providing tips and serving as witnesses.

Early this month, 19 netizens joined in a police operation and helped the police capture five pickpockets in downtown Huizhou in just one hour, according to the Beijing-based Beijing Youth Daily.

A publicity officer of the Huizhou Public Security Bureau, surnamed Xiao, said that the volunteers took to the street with the police during the New Year holiday, trying to find pickpockets in the crowd under the guidance of policemen.

However, for their safety, they were kept from grabbing pickpockets, a job that might be dangerous to them.

The operation was organized through the Internet. The Huizhou Public Security Bureau uploaded the information to a forum at its website HZ0752.com, and launched training courses for the volunteers from December 18 last year, said Xiao.

The training is aimed to ensure the safety of the volunteers, and increase the efficiency of the police crackdown on lifters, he added.

"Although the police bureau has a professional team to counter stealing, their role is limited and we need the participation of the general public," said Xiao.

The cooperation between the police and citizens will be maintained as a regular project in the fight against stealing in Huizhou, he said.

The website is a popular Internet forum in Huizhou, where netizens exchange experience of having their purses stolen.

"I hate pickpockets. My pocket was once picked on the street before, and my handbag was robbed once when I was on motorcycle," said a resident surnamed Zhu.

"I didn't hesitate to join in the operation after knowing it on the Internet."