The number of crimes in China's primary and middle schools decreased 19.7 percent in 2006 compared with the previous year, as security departments bolstered the police presence around schools.

Statistics released at a national security conference on Thursday showed that security departments solved 22,000 criminal cases involving teachers or students.

The ministry launched a campaign to improve campus security in June 2005.

Police increased patrols in the vicinity of schools, said a ministry official, adding that nearly 10,000 illegal internet bars and more than 2,400 illegal singing and dancing halls around schools were shut down.

Fire control departments inspected schools and found more than 130,000 hidden problems.

Security departments also inspected vehicles in schools. More than 12,000 illegal vehicles were found and 7,740 unqualified drivers had their driving licenses withdrawn.

In addition, 204,000 policemen were sent to schools to give lessons on safety. The crime rate among students decreased to 1.9 per 10,000, the lowest point over the past five years, according to the ministry.

Source: Xinhua