HANOI, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has called on police forces nationwide to tighten fight against robberies at banks, banking transaction centers and gold shops, local media reported on Friday.

Since the beginning of this year, many robberies at bank branches, bank transaction centers and gold shops have occurred in Hanoi capital, Ho Chi Minh City, the two northern provinces of Bac Giang and Son La, the central province of Khanh Hoa, and the two southern provinces of Ba Ria Vung Tau and Tien Giang, the Vietnam News daily reported.

Offenders used weapons, including homemade guns, to intimidate bank employees and body guards and rob a large amount of property.

According to the police, security measures in place at bank branches, transaction offices and gold shops have many loopholes and inadequacies. Awareness of officers, employees and security teams at the establishments is low.

The ministry has urged local police units to actively analyze, evaluate and forecast criminal behavior and review the locations where banks, credit funds, ATMs and private gold shops are located, especially in rural areas and outlying districts, in order to take preventive measures.