Beijing has claimed a marked drop in crime so far this year with police saying the fall sets a solid foundation for a safe Olympic Games.

In the first 10 months of 2007, Beijing police detained over 43,000 criminal suspects, an increase of 12% on the same period last year. The report said new crime cases fell by 2.7% over the same period, but did not give details.

Beijing crime detection officer Li Yuejie said, ‘The improved public security is a good foundation and necessary prelude for next year’s Olympics.’

Although much of China is relatively lightly covered by police, the capital is well supplied, especially at sensitive events such as Communist Party meetings.

Security will be even tighter during next year’s Olympic Games.

Beijing’s police chief said in September that some 80,000 guards including police officers and state-approved volunteers, would help security service forces at the Olympics.