Police in Dongguan city in Guangdong province are being criticized for publicly humiliating two women arrested as alleged prostitutes.

After a raid to crackdown on prostitution, Dongguan police staged a street pillory involving two barefooted, handcuffed women led by ropes tied around their waist.

Later, pictures of the event leaked onto the Internet and immediately raised questions about police brutality and elicited much public outcry. In response to this, the Ministry of Public Security has asked local police to regulate their working procedures and prevent similar incidents.