Larger restaurants in Beijing are being required to install video monitoring cameras by municipal authorities to improve public security.

Restaurants larger than 2,000 square meters will be fined if they don't set up the video monitoring cameras and keep the footage for at least a year, according to a regulation issued Tuesday by the Beijing Public Security Bureau and the Bureau of Commerce.

The cameras are to be set up at key locations including gates, public halls, parking lots, cashier desks and elevators, and be set to record during business time, said the regulation.

"Violators will face a maximum fine of 100,000 yuan (US$12,625)," said the regulations.

The catering industry has maintained a double-digit growth in China for the last 15 years. In Beijing, diners pack most restaurants at lunch and dinner.

Police reports show that as thefts and assaults frequently occur at restaurants. Fights have also broken between competing restaurants trying to lure the same customers.

"Installation of the monitors will help police collect evidence and investigate criminal cases," officials with the Beijing Public Security Bureau said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2006)