March.1 - China is launching a nationwide campaign to crack down on bicycle theft, an official with the Ministry of Public Security said in Beijing on Wednesday.

 

Known as the "bicycle kingdom", China is home to a world-record 470 million bicycles, but theft of the two-wheeled vehicle is as daunting -- nearly 4 million bikes, including 700,000 electric ones, are stolen a year in China, a loss worth of more than 2 billion yuan (250 million U.S. dollars).

 

People who provide the police with clues resulting in arrest of more than 15 bike pilferers and seizure of over 50 stolen bikes will, as of Wednesday, be awarded a maximum of 5,000 yuan (625 U.S. dollars), said Ma Weiya, Vice-director of the Ministry's Security Management Department.

 

The ministry, in a co-effort with several other government departments, will take measures to quell rampant bicycle theft such as attaching ID card to every bicycle produced, requiring real-name identification in bicycle trade and establishing a database of thieves, said Ma.

 

"In recent years, bicycle theft has been a serious issue threatening social order and people's sense of security," Ma said.

 

"I have lost 4 bikes, altogether worth 3,000 to 4,000 yuan (375-500 U.S. dollars). All have been stolen in broad daylight." said Cao Kai, one of the victims, who is now forced to keep his bike within eyeshot every time he goes out.

 

Ma said though achievements have been made in cracking down on the crime, it still have a long way to go.