Some residential property managers in northwest China's Shaanxi Province smeared natural gas pipelines outside buildings with butter to deter burglars.

"Natural gas pipelines are often used as 'ladders' by burglars and burglaries are rife here," said one property manager of Mingdemen Community in Xi'an, provincial capital of Shaanxi.

The managers bought 100 kilograms of butter and smeared it on pipes Monday.

Three-fifths of the 2000 households here are leased out to renters and it is difficult to tell who actually lives here, and some bad guys may sneak in, he explained.

"Using butter is the most economical way," he added.

As for how long it will work, the managers told Xinhua that they would continue dabbing butter once it is dry.

As all of the 24 surveillance cameras were broken and with a 60,000 yuan outstanding installment bill, repair seems unlikely. (One US dollar equals 6.83 RMB yuan)

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2009)