The number of criminal cases reported in China's primary and middle schools decreased by 19.7 percent in 2006 compared with the previous year, as security departments have become more widespread in schools nationwide.

 

Statistics released yesterday at a national security conference placed at 22,000 the number of solved criminal cases solved that affected either teachers or students. 

 

This success can be attributed to a national campus security campaign launched back in June 2005.

 

An official from the Ministry of Public Security revealed that the campaign increased police patrols around schools, and shut down close to 10,000 illegal Internet bars and over 2,400 illegal singing and dancing halls in proximity to schools, removing their negative influence.

 

Fire control departments also increased inspections across schools, finding and fixing 130,000 problems.

 

School vehicles were also submitted to full check-ups, which resulted in 12,000 illegal vehicles being impounded and 7,740 unqualified drivers removed from duty.

 

In addition, 204,000 policemen visited classrooms to give safety lessons. This helped bring the crime rate among students down 1.9 per 10,000, the lowest rate for five years, according to the ministry.

 

Related reading:

 

Safety on Campus

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2007)