Crime on airplanes 'in decline'

Beijing police said theft cases on planes have decreased since the start of the year, thanks to the presence of plainclothes officers on flights, and the Olympic Games.

Less than 60 cases have been reported this year involving passengers' property being stolen, down from more than 150 in each of the previous two years, Li Yihe, deputy head of the criminal investigation department stationed at the Beijing Capital International Airport, told a press conference yesterday.

Most of the cases happened on short- and medium-range flights that take one to two hours, he said.