Shanghai government will strengthen its supervision and management of the metal recycling industry, dangerous chemicals production and transport and the use of idle workshops to ensure the security of local residents and public property.

Shanghai government spokeswoman Jiao Yang announced at yesterday's news conference the release of a new set of rules called Shanghai Scrap Metal Recycling Regulations.

She stated illegal scrap recycling businesses had imposed a rather serious influence on the market and social security. Thieves often steal metal equipment, such as manhole covers, and sell it to illicit metal recycling merchants.

Cable thefts result in blackouts at factories and residential areas and Internet breakdowns. Missing manhole covers along city streets will lead to road accidents and casualties, she said."Some thieves even target fire control facilities in residential neighborhoods, which can severely undermine the residents' safety," said the spokeswoman.

Jiao cited some recent cases that she alleged caused several million yuan in losses.

On July 2, five cable lines were stolen from a construction site along the Inner Ring Road, shutting down the telecom system. Four days later, 100 meters of cable and five telephone transformer boxes were stolen from Zhabei District, causing chaos in several offices and hospitals.In another case, 103 fire hydrants were stolen from an area in Yangpu District.

So far this year, city police have got 666 public facility theft reports, 305 of which have been solved.

The city government expects to enhance the crackdown on metal-made public property theft by implementing more forceful control on scrap metal recycling dealers.

According to the newly issued rules, those who are engaged in scrap metal recycling without a special business permit will face a maximum 30,000 yuan (US$3,704) fine.

The spokeswoman also said the government would practice stricter administration on the production and transport of dangerous chemicals in order to remove any possible hidden perils.

More than 6,000 companies deal with chemicals in the city.