The rise in gang-related crime in China has been linked to overseas criminal syndicates, the Ministry of Public Security said yesterday.

 

Evidence showed that more foreign underworld organizations were entering China, Du Hangwei, deputy director of the ministry's criminal investigation bureau, said at a press briefing in Beijing.

 

And gangs from neighboring areas such as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions were also involved in illegal activities on the mainland according to the ministry.

 

"Gang-related crime is on the rise in China as society goes through tremendous economic and social changes," Du said. He emphasized that no mercy would be shown to criminals "no matter where they come from."

 

In February the ministry launched a crackdown on gang-related crime and so far officers have received over 3,700 tip offs from the public by way of phone calls, letters and e-mails.

 

Figures released yesterday show that 1,013 gang-related crimes are currently under investigation with 28 cases having been transferred to prosecutors.

 

Around 30 criminals have received jail terms of more than five years, life imprisonment or the death penalty.

 

But the ministry would not reveal the number of cases involving foreign gangs or whether there had been any international cooperation in arresting them. ?

 

The biggest case brought to trial so far was in Loudi, in central China's Hunan Province, last month. Up to 100 suspected gangsters have been accused of more than 20 crimes including murder, drug trafficking and abduction.

 

A preliminary ruling has not yet been reached as the case is extremely complicated according to the prosecutors.

 

"Some corrupt officials were collaborating with the criminals and offered them protection which makes our investigation even harder," Du said.

 

As the clampdown continues the ministry has urged local public security bureaus to intensify police patrols at entertainment venues, restaurants and wholesale markets where gang-related crimes are concentrated. .

 

Leaders of local public security bureaus face dismissal if criminal gangs in their localities are smashed through reports to the ministry instead of through their own efforts, the ministry has warned.

 

(China Daily May 26, 2006)