CHINA> National
More than 13,000 criminal gangs removed
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-11-17 11:40

A national crack down on criminal gangs launched in February 2006 has detected 1,267 criminal cases and resulted in more than 13,000 criminal gangs being removed, the Legal Daily reported.

The central government has attached high importance to the crack down campaign by setting up specialized agencies and designating clear responsibilities to push the move, according to the report.

"We found most criminal cases have something in common," an official with the national campaign office said. "Many criminal gangs bought off officials to give them a shield. So we should discipline the government officials and keep the government clean."

Criminal gangs affect society by forcing trade, asking for "protection fees", controlling registration at hospitals and causing violence, according to the national campaign office.