Violence against the police and neighborhood watch officials is increasing in Shanghai, the city's procuratorate has said.

In the first eight months of this year there was one murder and 272 injuries, two serious.

"The level of violence and the seriousness of injuries are on the increase," Director of the Prosecution Division with Shanghai People's Procuratorate Ji Gang said.

"By the end of August, 320 individuals responsible for 241 attacks on police or neighborhood watch personnel had been charged for impeding the administration of justice, assault or murder."

Half the attacks were made when police were dealing with traffic rule violations, neighborhood disputes or in raids on illegal activities.

In June, a policeman stopped Huang Jie for riding a bicycle without a license plate.

He was writing out a ticket when Huang started to beat him and bit another officer. He was charged with impeding the administration of justice.

Zhu Bochen, a procuratorate spokesperson, said a lack of security personnel and equipment, and inadequate punishment were contributing to the increase in violence.

"Growing social conflicts due to the widening gap between the rich and poor and people of varying educational levels are creating challenges for social security," Zhu said.

In another case, Wu Ximing and Wang Renhua were fined for buying a large amount of fireworks, without being authorized.

They plotted revenge with relatives and friends and came up with a sting operation at their supermarket. They beat the police officers involved and then called 110, claiming they had been trying to extort money.

The gang was charged for the attack and defamation and sentenced to prison for between eight and 30 months.

In July, two neighborhood watch officers in Yongxiang Village, Jiading district, apprehended Zhu Zhenqiang.

They found a piece of plastic used to pick locks, but Zhu scarpered and when the security officers tried to stop him he stabbed one in the shoulder and stomach. He later died for his wounds.

Zhu was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death in Jun 22 by Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court. His accomplice, who helped Zhu dispose of his bloody clothes, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

(China Daily September 13, 2007)