BEIJING, Jan. 20 -- The railway police in 2015 apprehended 40,315 criminals who were attempting to use the railway to avoid capture, an increase of 13.2 percent from the previous year, the police said Wednesday.

The railway police boosted patrols at ticket halls, stations, waiting rooms and onboard trains, and improved the way information on fugitives was collected and shared, according to the railway police bureau.

The railway police are responsible for public security affairs across the railway network.