Police are to redouble efforts to combat organized crime and gang activity in rural Guangdong province in the months to come, a top official has pledged.

Lin Weixiong, deputy director of the Guangdong Public Security Department, said the focus will be on exposing and shutting down the crime networks and their protective apparatus.

“Guangdong police have zero tolerance for crimes involving secret societies and violent gangs in rural areas, as these crimes threaten lives and property,” Lin said in Guangzhou on Thursday.

He hinted that additional campaigns would be launched to fight such crimes.
Lin also urged locals to report to police any crime involving secret societies or gangs, with authorities offering rewards of up to 500,000 yuan ($76,900) for valuable information.

At a ceremony on Thursday, a total of 500,000 yuan was awarded to three people for tip-offs that helped crack major gang cases.

Police across Guangdong have prosecuted a number of gang members this year, Lin said.

Authorities in Foshan froze assets worth more than 130 million yuan after busting a gang headed by a suspect surnamed Xie on May 14. Five village cadres investigated for alleged involvement were also detained, while police also confiscated cars, guns, ammunition, knives and bank books.

Police in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingyuan, Shantou, Zhuhai and Jieyang have also cracked down on gangs this year, dealing a heavy blow to organized crime in rural areas, Lin added.