Officer makes arrests at awards rehearsal

A police officer nominated for an award as a city "security hero" stepped off the stage of a rehearsal for the event to detain a gang of suspected thieves.

Officer Jiang Jun said afterward that she was saddened that one of those suspected of stealing an iPhone was a 5-year-old girl.

Jiang was about to take part in a rehearsal for the introduction to the public section of the Shanghai Security Heroes contest, at Zhongsheng Mall in Minhang District on Tuesday, when she received a report from a security guard.

The officer left the stage immediately and went to the basement floor, where the four people were acting suspiciously.

Colleagues told Jiang that the gang had entered a clothes shop and surrounded the salesclerk, while a little girl approached the cash desk.

Jiang observed the group and then moved in and confronted a woman, the 5-year-old's mother, as she tried to hide something in a plant display.

The officer said she found that the woman was holding a stolen iPhone, which was returned to its owner.

According to Jiang, two of the gang members were pregnant. In China, pregnant women are often treated more leniently by police.

Jiang said that after being taken to the police station, the little girl told her that her mother and the others threatened to beat her if she didn't steal for them.

The girl said her older sister used to take part in the thefts, but as she grew older she was easier to spot.

"She said that she wanted to be a police officer like me in future," Jiang said afterward.

"When I told her that a bad girl couldn't become a police officer, she said that when she grew up she would become rich and no longer steal, and then she could become an officer, " Jiang said.

"Her words made me feel sad," added the officer.

Jiang urged the public to show concern for and protect the "children of thieves," to help ensure that they have better lives.

The Shanghai Security Heroes award aims to recognize people who make huge contributions to the city's security.

Two candidates are chosen from local police for the competition, which is decided by online votes.