Six arrested for running from metro security staff

Shanghai prosecutors have signed off on the arrests of six people so far this year for striking police officers or committing other crimes at security checkpoints inside the city's metro stations, local media reported Tuesday.

Metro police linked the arrests to a recently released list of hazardous substances that authorities banned on the metro from April 20, according to a report in the Xinmin Evening News. Police said they caught six people fleeing from security checkpoints in the first two weeks after the list was released. Three of the suspects were given administrative detention.

In one case, a man surnamed Hu, 27, was charged with obstructing official business for punching a police officer while running away from a security checkpoint at Jing'an Temple Station on metro Line 2 on April 7, the report said.

When the police officer caught up to him, Hu punched the officer in the head, the report said. The officer suffered minor injuries.

In another case, a woman surnamed Zhou was detained on April 24 for slapping a security officer who had asked to examine her bag at Dalian Road Station on metro Line 12.

Metro police reminded the public that security inspections are necessary to protect the public. So far this year, they have caught 95 wanted criminals and uncovered 8,700 hazardous articles.