Beijing police have undertaken an investigation on protection gangs at Tiantongyuan North Metro Station in Beijing, capital of China, said Liu Fei, the deputy director of the Community Management Office in Tiantongyuan north street on May 18.

An unidentified man threatens a vendor to pay a protection fee at a snack street near Tiantongyuan North Metro Station in Beijing, capital of China on May 13, 2015. [Photo: bjnews.com.cn]

A recent report showed that vendors peddling near to Tiantongyuan North Metro Station are forced to pay protection money to so called "marketing office managers". It aroused widespread outrage among Chinese Internet users.

The report said peddlers refusing to pay the payment are driven away.

According to the report, the gangsters, claiming themselves as 'marketing office managers', charge each vendor up to 30 yuan a day.

However, Liu said he had never heard of a 'marketing office'.

Liu admitted there is a snack street near the station, but it was organized by local residents, not by the government.

The street has not gained approval for business from the commercial authority, Liu said.

The local government said they are investigating this issue and promised regular inspections will be held in the future.

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