Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Ho Chi Minh City authorities to strengthen efforts to fight crime and bring criminals to book.

At his meeting with municipal senior officials on January 28, Phuc praised the city’s achievements during a month-long campaign against crime carried out on the threshold of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which falls on February 10 this year.

The campaign, which began on December 15, saw 98 gangs busted and 239 criminals captured.

Police also detained 356 traffickers and seized 6.3 kg of drugs in 187 cases.

The number of crimes was reduced by 13.02 percent from the previous months during the campaign.

Deputy PM Phuc said the achievements allow residents some relief before and after Tet, but the task was not completely done and more effort was needed.

He asked the city police to continue regular patrols and anti-vice campaigns.

He also advised closer monitoring of “economic criminals”, who produce fake and counterfeit goods for the Tet season and engage in other forms of corruption.-VNA