Guangzhou crime threatens social order, says police chief

Bombings and other serious crimes in Guangzhou are increasing and putting enormous pressure on social order, the Guangdong capital's police chief said.

Twelve bombs went off in the first half of the year, killing four people and injuring 11, said Zhu Suisheng, director of Guangzhou's Public Security Bureau.

'The number of blasts and their impact are the most serious in recent years,' Mr Zhu said in a report on the city's security situation submitted to the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou People's Congress.

A total 15,000 major criminal cases were filed during the first six months, up 1.6 per cent from the same period last year.

Analysis showed a trend towards an increased viciousness among criminals, the Nanfang City News quoted Mr Zhu as saying. 'The use of bombs or other explosives to get ransoms in kidnapping cases has increased. Such a trend is a huge threat to people's safety and social stability.' He said figures pointed to a drop in killings from last year but violent crime had gone up. This year, there had been 13 murder cases involving more than two victims and the dismemberment of bodies.

Economic crime was also on the rise, with 206 cases being filed. Forged money and securities had doubled and accounted for most crimes.