World Expo will be safe for visitors from all over the world – one million security guards

Police in Shanghai have caught some 6,000 people involved in street crimes such as thefts and prostitution during a 12-day special crackdown in preparation for the opening of the Expo. The crackdown is the fourth of its kind in less than two months in a move by police to make the city safer during the recently opened Expo. More than 30,000 police officers made more than 900 raids during the campaign, according to the city’s public security bureau.

Of the 6,402 held, 429 are now under criminal detention – a measure that may lead to formal arrests and prosecution – on suspicion of theft, gambling, prostitution and selling pornographic materials. And 852 people are under administrative detention, facing a maximum term of 15 days, bureau officials said. The others were released after being educated, according to the bureau.

The crackdown was focused on the areas around the Expo Park. A joint force from 16 police stations around the area was established to rein in traffic offenses, street crimes and potential fire hazards in and around the park.

During the campaign, police also cleared hawkers around Expo Park, such as those who importune visitors to take photos, and caught 26 people. About 10 of them are still under police custody.

In addition, more than 2,000 unlicensed motor-powered two wheelers, which have long been a potential traffic hazard in the city, were confiscated.

Among the more than 6,000 people caught by police are also some foreigners. Police in Xuhui district detained four foreigners in a pub on Fenyang Road on suspicion of being in the country illegally and of taking drugs.

Another 31 foreigners were caught on suspicion of being in the country illegally and of being employed in an illegal hotel in the neighborhood of Longbai in the city’s Minhang district, police said. But the police did not disclose how many foreigners are still in custody or have been released.

Police have strengthened patrols in major commercial areas, traffic junctions, travel sites and areas with high crime rates.

A special patrol team has been launched to check suspicious people and vehicles entering the Expo Park. By means of a photo match, eight suspects wanted online were arrested by the team during the campaign. Changning district police have upped their vehicle patrol to 34 times a day from 15.

Shanghai police are pulling out all the stops to step up the city’s security, especially after a string of suicide bombings in Russia earlier this month, which killed at least 51. In addition to the campaigns to keep street crimes in check, police have taken a series of measures to beef up security.

Police announced a systematic security plan for the Expo in a news conference last week which ranges from public transportation safety controls to emergency back-up plans.

Shanghai has the world’s most extensive bus system with nearly 1,000 bus lines. According to the plan, inspectors will be sent aboard every bus on all the 42 Expo routes and 2,188 of bus stops for security checks. X-ray scanning points have been set up at all of the 870 entrances to the 282 subway stations.

Anyone wishing to buy any kind of knife has to register his real name, a system that has also been applied to the sale of toxic chemicals, including rat poison and pesticides. Real names will also be required at all hotel check-ins.

At a press conference, the deputy director of the Shanghai municipal public security bureau, Cheng Jiulong, dismissed the question of how many police officers will be involved in Expo security, but the media has reported that Shanghai has called on 1 million volunteers – many of them retirees – to patrol streets and detect any security hazards.

Insiders in Shanghai are talking about 1 million police and army officers, 250,000 special forces, 200,000 secret service agents. Plus 1.2 million volunteers working in the Expo area as sales persons, catering etc.

China has also ordered thousands of police cars, special vehicles, helicopters and cost guard ships to Shanghai.

Security measures

Security inspectors will be installed in each part of the two airports.

The streets between the airports and the Expo area are under camera surveillance and helicopter patrol.

No flying kites, kongming lanterns, small hot-air paper balloons, small low-flying objects, balloons, airships or paragliders are allowed to fly above the city and part of Suzhou and Zhejiang.

Security checkpoints have been set up at all of the 870 entrances to 282 subway stations.

A double ring of security fences has been set up around the Expo Park, through which every visitor needs to pass to enter the park.

All visitors living in hotels are required to register their real names.

Individuals are required to show their ID cards to postal officers to send mail and parcels to Shanghai during the Expo. Postal officers must check the content.

Flammable material, such as lighters and matches, are banned from being taken into the Expo Park, along with liquids, such as packaged beverages and alcohol.

The sale of both controlled and ceramic knives are banned. Buyers of kitchen and big fruit knives also have to register their real names.

Trucks with dangerous freight are banned from coming into the City of Shanghai.

The trucks, buses and cars will be watched by satellites.