Gang-related criminals encouraged to turn themselves in by March 1

Those who have committed gang-related crimes or who have helped shelter perpetrators of such crimes are ordered to turn themselves in to police before March 1 for lenient punishment, according to a joint circular released by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People‘s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice on Monday.

Officials who have served as "protective umbrellas" of such crimes will be severely dealt with, no matter who they are, the circular said.

Families of gang-related offenders are encouraged to persuade the violators to turn themselves in or to bring the violators to the police. Those who help such offenders with money laundering or by destroying or faking evidence for them will be criminally punished, according to the circular.

The public is also encouraged to report such crimes by visiting www.12389.gov.cn or calling 010－12389. Informers' personal information will be protected, it said.

The circular is to push forward a national campaign against gang-related crimes. The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council jointly released a document on Jan 24, deploying a new round of campaign efforts to fight gangs and other organized crimes.