South China city starts anti-abduction campaign

SHENZHEN, Dec. 18 -- The booming town of Shenzhen, where parents are scared of a spate of child abductions, kicked off a 70-day campaign Friday, cracking down upon kidnapping and other serious crimes.

Police forces will take tough measures against abduction, the use of gun, killing, robbery, theft, pornography, gambling and drugs, in an effort to appease the jittered public and create a safe environment for the upcoming New Year and the Spring Festival, said Li Ming, director with the municipal public security bureau of Shenzhen, in Guangdong Province.

The move was launched after two of three abducted school children were killed between October and November in the city. Police have arrested six suspects who were jobless and intended to blackmail rich families.

The rapid economic development and increase of population in the city exacerbated deep-rooted social disputes, which were mostly reflected in the social security control, said Wang Rong, acting mayor of Shenzhen.

More than 3,000 delegates of various local police authorities were present at the launching ceremony held Friday morning.