Shenzhen's new Internet cop shop to combat cybercrime

The police force in southern China's Shenzhen set up its first Internet police station on Jan. 11, from which it will launch a crackdown on the increasing number of online crimes as well as promote a safe and clean online environment for its netizens.

As the number of Internet users in China increases dramatically, various kinds of cybercrimes are occurring frequently online.

"What makes it different is that, unlike traditional crime, there is no direct physical contact between criminal suspects and victims in cybercrime, which is not limited by time and geography," said Qiao Zhi, director-general of the Futian District Public Security Bureau in Shenzhen.

"Therefore, cybercrime involves a wide range of targets, which is more difficult to strike than traditional crime," the Qiao said. "Our newly-established Internet police station is expected to assume the responsibility of collecting all clues of non-contact crimes [crimes that do not involve direct face-to-face contact] and actively be involved in investigation instead of just monitoring networks."

It was reported the newly-established Internet police station has 44 policemen on duty 24 hours every day, who are mainly responsible for accepting, investigating and conducting investigations into fraud cases that do not involve direct contact.

By Li Mu, People's Daily Online