The Vietnamese police uncovered over 44,000 criminal cases with more than 2,600 gangs last year via a spate of raids, heard a conference in Hanoi on January 16.

Co-hosted by the Steering Boards for the National Target Programme on Crime Prevention, and AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control, the event was to review their 2013 activities and set tasks for this year.

During the period, over 11,000 wanted criminals were arrested or urged to give themselves up to the police. The police dealt with more than 12,000 economic cases with over 400 involved in corruption. Over 13,000 environmental violations and 18,000 drug cases were also brought to light.

The public campaign on national defence was rolled out in wider areas and thousands of models on social security self-management were put in place.

Both sides also helped raise public awareness of the fight against crime via the signing of cooperation agreements with the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Radio, Nhan dan (People) newspaper and Vietnam Television.

This year, the sector will focus on professional training and clarify the localities’ responsibilities in weapon, explosives and business management.

They will also work with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and agencies concerned to put the public on alert for crime and drug trafficking while launching a crackdown with the public’s involvement.-VNA