Beijing is stepping up efforts to reduce illegal barbeques, to cut down on roadside air and noise pollution.

May is the peak time for outdoor grill cooking, which takes a heavy toll on air quality, traffic and residents, said Dang Xuefeng, spokesman for the capital's bureau of city administration and law enforcement.

"As the weather warms up, the streets gradually fill up with roadside barbecue spots, sizzling kebabs on the grill and cold beer, which also create serious air pollution and undesired noise for the neighborhoods," he said.