Market posts photos of thieves

The operator of a busy shopping district has been the focus of public debate after posting photos and information on thieves on a signboard on Tuesday to warn shoppers.

The signboar, set up at the entrance of the Fashion Shopping Street market in the Taiyuanjie shopping area of Shenyang, Liaoning province, shows 20 convicted thieves' photos and lists their names, ages and criminal records.

The top of the signboard reads the "Criminal Investigation Squad of the Taiyuanjie police reminds you to take good care of your belongings and watch out for theft".

In a survey on Sina Weibo, China's main micro-blogging platform, more than 60 percent of netizens supported the move.

But the rest said that publishing personal information on ex-convicts violated their rights, particularly the right protecting them from unauthorized public use of their photos, the so-called portrait right.

Tian Xin, a seller of ladies' undergarments in Taiyuanjie market, said the warning helps raise shoppers' vigilance against theft. "Sometimes, we've seen thieves at work, but don't dare to alert shoppers out of fear for our personal safety. Publicly displaying the thieves' photos can protect shoppers and us."

Zhang Jie, 28, a regular at the market whose Apple iPhone was stolen on Sunday, hailed the move.

"You never think of how detestable thieves are until something has been stolen from you."

But the Shenyang municipal public security bureau said it did not authorize the signboard. An officer from the bureau's information office who declined to be named said the market may have gotten the photos from TV footage.

The market's operator, Market Fashion Shopping, did not comment.Cai Weilong, a well-known anti-theft expert in the city, said the signboard might not help much. "It's hard for people to remember and recognize dozens of pictures. And thieves could change their appearance, which they are good at," Cai said.

Yang Gonghan, a lawyer from Liaoning Dingtai Law Firm said the market's sign may have violated the law.

Thieves also enjoy portrait rights according to the law.

"Without authorization from the police, publishing their photos and details is not legal," Yang said.