Mr Dzung made the statement at a conference held in Hanoi on March 27 to review one year of implementation of the Government’s decree on fighting crime and people trafficking.

The Deputy PM said the number of crimes committed between 2001 and 2004 reduced by 1.86 percent compared to previous figures. Therefore, political security was ensured and social order was maintained, thus creating favourable conditions for national economic development.

Police broke up 4,167 gangs and uncovered more than 11,000 cases of economic crimes and 11,000 others for drug trafficking, Mr Dzung said. He noted that between 2001 and 2005, the State held four special amnesties and released 35,299 criminals.

Deputy PM Dzung asked relevant ministries and localities to implement major tasks. First, agencies and People’s Committees at the grassroots levels should hold meetings to review anti-crime activities in recent years, and devise measures for 2006. The Public Security force should uncover and prevent the setting up of dangerous criminal gangs.

Authorities and relevant agencies at all levels should implement the Anti-Corruption Law. Top priority should be given to combating corruption. In addition, central and local agencies should examine the implementation of policies and administrative procedures to prevent corruption cases.

In addition, relevant agencies should focus on combating corruption in the management of land, state budget, and construction investment as well as strengthening investigation work. The public security forces should strictly deal with corruption cases.