Police in the Olympic Games soccer co-host city of Shenyang, northeast China, are offering rewards of up to 500,000 (73,500 U.S. dollars) for information on security threats.

And cab drivers in the city have been given special training as "intelligence agents" in how to spot suspicious activities.

People who provided valid information or assisted police in important cases could be rewarded 100 yuan to 500,000 yuan, according to a circular issued by the public security bureau in the capital of Liaoning Province.

Clues, witnesses or evidence concerning suspects in detention or at large, about people plotting crimes, about drivers responsible for traffic accidents causing serious casualties or economic loss, or other important information, were all welcomed.

The city has 19,000 registered cabs and about 38,000 taxi drivers.

The drivers moved around the city and meet with many people, so their cooperation was important in ensuring security around the sports events next month, said Liu Juntao, of the bureau's public transport department.

Many drivers had attended training courses on Olympic security issues and how to act as "intelligence agents".

Shenyang police began to solicit public tip-offs in April, asking people to offer information in person, by phone, website, fax, letter or text message.

From Aug. 6 to 12, Shenyang will host 12 Olympic football matches.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2008)