Police open 20 subway security booths

Local metro police opened 20 security booths Wednesday at major subway stations to make it easier for passengers to contact on-duty officers.

All 20 booths were installed at major interchange stations in locations that are easy to find, such as the passageway between lines 1 and 9 at Xujiahui Station, according to a press release from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

The booths will replace the station police offices, which are usually located in staff areas that are off-limits to passengers.

"Rather than return to the offices, our officers will go to the new booths when they are not patrolling," said Zhou Wei, a press officer with the Shanghai Public Security Bureau's metro police division. "For example, after an officer has been on patrol for 45 minutes, he will then go to the booth for 10 minutes. It will make it easier for commuters to find officers."

Police also hope that the booths will help them more efficiently control beggars and pickpockets on the subway.