Police in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region rescued 746 children in 2008 from human trafficking gangs, which kidnapped and forced them into pickpocketing, local police said on Wednesday.

"Eight trafficking rings were busted and 177 suspects have been arrested in 2008," said Dai Guanghui, a senior police officer with Xinjiang Public Security Department.

The youngsters from the region had been kidnapped by gangs and trafficked to other regions in the country, where they were forced to work as pickpockets and shoplifters.

Dai said a total of 3,059 children have been rescued from trafficking gangs since 2006, when the Xinjiang police launched their drive against the human traffickers.

"They have been sent home after correctional education," he said.

Most of the kidnapped children are from underdeveloped regions such as Kashi, Akesu and Hetian.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2009)