In early July, police in the city of Dongguan in southern China paraded alleged prostitutes in the street as a way of shaming them.

Barefoot and handcuffed, not only were the women humiliated in public, but photos of their ordeal were then posted on the Internet. The act is thought to have been a police warning to sex workers in the run-up to the Asian Games, which are to be held in the region.

The photographs of the women, and their alleged pimps, emerged on an online discussion forum, sparking outrage amongst Web users, who denounced the police as bullies.

A week later, the angry crowd had managed to attract the attention of the Minister of Public Security, who told local authorities not to repeat its controversial tactics, and instead to apply the law in "a rational, calm and civilised manner".