Thieves would be rampant at the Shenzhen railway station during the National Day holidays, the Shenzhen Specail Zone Daily warned Wednesday.

Thieves mainly concentrate on the east exit gate at the station and loitered around the footbridge near the Shangri-la Hotel, said a man surnamed Zhong, who has been working near the station for more than 20 years.

The thieves usually work in groups. They steal more frequently on the stairs of the footbridge and at newspaper stands under the footbridge, said Zhong.

Backpacks, waist purses and mobile phones on the waist were the main targets because they were easily stolen, Zhong said.

Plainclothes police would be on duty in the station precincts during the holidays, the Daily said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2004)