Shanghai Daily news

Cars make lousy safes and drivers should be aware that a growing number of thieves are targeting valuables left inside vehicles.
That warning was sounded yesterday by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau after city police solved a series of property theft cases involving vehicles recently.
Yang ye, spokeswoman for the bureau, highlighted three cases to show the seriousness of the situation.
On november 18, Qingpu District police managed to crack down on a criminal ring whose members were reportedly responsible for more than 60 thefts worth about 325,000 yuan (US$39,157) throughout the city. The suspects, all natives of Jiangxi Province, allegedly committed the thefts by prying open the trunks of parked cars.
In another case, local police caught a Hebei Province man snatching a suitcase from an Audi sedan on December 10. According to the victim surnamed Xie, he stopped at a red light on Hutai Road when a little boy knocked at the back window to distract him. The suspect identified as Liu then ripped open the side door and made off with the bag containing valuables and cash worth about 20,000 yuan.
Liu was later caught by police, but his alleged accomplice escaped.
The spokeswoman also revealed that Pudong police destroyed a criminal ring on December 28, alleging that the victims were blackmailed into buying their stolen license plates.
"From the suspects' confession, we found they mostly targeted Buick and Santana sedans," Yang said. "Suspects stole property, vehicle plates and the vehicles as well."
Meanwhile, police are offering tips to drivers so they can avoid becoming a victim. For example, drivers are advised to check their tires and the area around their cars before igniting the engine.
"Suspects usually put a disguised fruit or vegetable containing sharp objects under the car so that the tire will burst once the vehicle starts," Yang explained.
Police also suggested that drivers should lock the door from inside during the ride. When they get out, they should take their valuables with them no matter how soon they will return.