Shenzhen police have solved almost 500 criminal cases and arrested 52 fugitives since the start of the month, a police spokesman said. A total of 642 suspects were arrested, as well as members of 123 criminal gangs, he said. Although the general crime rate had declined, the spokesman said cases of robbery and murder had risen in some areas. Shenzhen authorities had demanded the police crack more big cases before the end of the year, the semi-official Hong Kong China News Agency reported yesterday. Shenzhen authorities have transferred more than 250 government department cadres to the force in districts including Futian and Lowu to strengthen street patrols. More than 100 officers were also sent to set up special teams in Shenzhen's three main districts - Buji, Longgang and Henggang.
