Police will launch a nationwide crackdown on prostitution, referred to as a "malignant tumor" on society, until October.

In recent years, police have investigated approximately 140,000 cases of prostitution annually, according to data by the Ministry of Public Security. Nearly 250,000 perpetrators, which include prostitutes and clients, are suspected to be involved annually. The ministry said it looks into about 383 cases each day.

The three-month crackdown by the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security and the ministry started this past weekend and will continue until October, ahead of the 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The two agencies will clamp down on anyone who organizes and forces women into prostitution, the ministry said on its website.

Three kinds of violators will be targeted: individuals or groups who force, tempt, permit or introduce women to prostitution; operators of entertainment venues that permit or introduce prostitution; and anyone who conducts illegal activities with minors.

The security agencies also listed three kinds of locales as high-risk: entertainment venues such as dance halls and nightclubs; service businesses such as beauty salons and massage parlors; and public places such as hotels, restaurants and rental houses, according to a statement by the ministry.

Chen Jiping, vice-director of the security committee, said: "Prostitution has become a severe social issue and tangible results should be achieved with this new crackdown."

Prostitution has grown in recent years, according to the ministry.

Zhang Xinfeng, vice-minister of the Ministry of Public Security, said that local police departments that neglect their duties will be penalized. If prostitution occurs frequently in a particular area, the local public security department and investigative departments will be penalized if they fail.

He required the police departments in the country to call upon the public in helping them in the crackdowns.