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Police on the beat over Tet
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VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of police have been mobilised to ensure order and security in Ha Noi for the Tet festival, especially the lunar New Year’s eve, Sunday night.

Police and security guards would be on duty at all "hot" spots to ensure security and prevent the lighting of illegal firecrackers, particularly around Hoan Kiem Lake, said deputy Hoan Kiem police commander Pham Van Thoi.

The number of people and vehicles at the lake for the official fireworks display was expected to number tens of thousands and this would heighten the risk of illegal firecracker sales and explosions, he said.

Illegal motorcycle races were also likely to create social disorder, particularly on the favoured routes around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngo Quyen, Trang Tien and Trang Thi streets.

Vehicles are banned from Hoan Kiem Lake precinct from between 8pm and 11 pm New Year’s Eve.

Street vendors are also banned.

The police would be stationed in five groups in five major locations and would be held responsible for any failure of order and security in their designated zones, the deputy commander said.

Punishment

Traffic police will also be mobilised in HCM City for the festival.

Traffic police team No 6 commander Tran Nhu Si said all his officers would be on duty around the clock, particularly New Year’s Eve.

"All violations of the traffic rules and acts that endanger others will be severely punished," he said.

The senior officer also wants the HCM City Police Road Traffic Department to summarily punish any drivers of buses, coaches and trucks caught breaking the traffic rules in order to help reduce accidents.

The team’s "beat" includes District 12 and the Thu Duc District.

Road Traffic Department deputy chief of the HCM City Vo Van Van said supervision and inspections to punish traffic infringements would be intensified.

Excessive speed and motorcycle riders without helmets would be major targets, he said.

(Source: VNS)