Beijing dispatches armed patrols across city

Beijing launched teams of armed police to patrol across the city on Monday, according to the municipal public security bureau.

From 9 am Monday, 150 armed personnel carriers, with 13 police officers in each, were dispatched to street corners and densely populated regions in the city, aiming to keep stability and prevent terror attacks, the bureau said.

The vehicles are mainly used for dealing with mass disturbances and cases involving guns, while the police officers in the vehicles are also required to cooperate with local forces when emergencies occur, the bureau said, adding that the capital's busy regions are all covered.

The patrol distance of each vehicle is less than three kilometers and the time interval between is about three minutes, the bureau said. The police officers have the right to stop vehicles in the key areas at any time for inspection, it added.

"Beijing police decided to keep the city's security and control potential crimes or attacks via this harsher means, and we also hope to provide a sense of security for the public by enhancing our work efficiency," said a police officer in the bureau, who declined to be identified.