Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's movie, "A World Without Thieves" is one of the most popular movies in the theatres these days.

A Shanghai "thief map" contributed by a netizen circles the places intensely haunted by thieves in Shanghai in a bid to warn local people of thefts.

Many audiences are moved when the director arranges for the thief to sacrifice his life and use his blood to wash away his crimes at the end of the movie. But the concept in real life is less believable.

"A world without thieves? It is impossible," said Zhang Wenxin, a 23-year-old woman. During the past few years, she has been robbed three or four times. First her wallet, then her mobile, and most recently her bicycle disappeared.

Thief map

Ironically, almost simultaneously with the movie's release, a netizen has posted a "thief map" on the Internet. The map indicates the places most densely haunted by thieves in Shanghai in an effort to help people prevent thefts.

The map shows over 10 places stricken by theft, most of which are in downtown areas and transportation facilities.

"I haven't heard about the thief map but I think it could be helpful to me," said Zhang.

"I think the map is really helpful," said Zhang Yuefang, a white-collar worker in Shanghai. "At least, I know I should keep a close eye on my purse when I go to those areas."

No comment was given by the local police bureau. But a source from Dazhong Daily, a Shandong-based newspaper, said the police station in Qingdao of East China's Shandong Province has drawn a map of places plagued by theft. The map proved effective in reducing the number of thefts, reported the paper.

As the Chinese Spring Festival approaches, thieves become more active in the city.

A report from the Shanghai Morning Post said a policeman caught over 60 thieves in one day last December.

From December 21 to 31, 2004, there were 2,456 thefts reported in Shanghai, according to the Jiefang Daily. Most of them occurred in locations noted on the map.

City wide crackdown

"Whether the map is correct or not, what we need most is for residents to help by collecting information for us," said Yu Pinghua, a police officer of the fifth team of the Public Transportation Sub-bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Yu has been involved in anti-theft work on public transportation for years.

"The police launched a crackdown against thieves at the end of last year, now I feel the number of thieves on buses has decreased noticeably," he said.

The city's Public Security Bureau said it caught 762 thieves on public transportation in 15 days during the action. More than 700 experienced detectives apprehended the suspects and about 70 criminal groups. The police captured over 120,000 yuan (US$14,510) of stolen money and 272 mobiles.

"What we should do is to keep up the action," Yu said. Sources with the bureau said the police will continue cracking down on criminals in order to increase residents' sense of safety.

According to the detectives working against thieves, the biggest problem is catching the thief with the loot.

"We need residents to cooperate with us to provide proof when we catch a suspect. But some victims are too scared to speak out," Yu complained.

Also, thieves are disguising themselves ever more skillfully, which makes it difficult for residents to recognize them. "Some local thieves even wear very expensive and trendy clothes," he said.

Police urge residents to watch for certain characteristics.

Most thieves tend to squeeze into crowds and stare at people's bags and pockets. They usually have a bag, newspaper or a piece of cloth as a cover.

The most frequent ways thieves steal wallets and mobiles is by digging into or cutting open bags and pockets.

Experts warn people to be especially careful in the railway station because of the huge flowing population traveling for the Spring Festival. During the first half of this month, Yu and his three partners caught six thieves in the area. 

(Shanghai Star January 24, 2005)