Police deployed 150 armed patrol vehicles on the capital's streets on Monday to combat terrorism and violence following a string of attacks nationwide.

The vehicles, stationed at main intersections with heavy traffic, will serve as a deterrent to terrorists, sources with the Beijing Public Security Bureau said.

Each vehicle will be manned with nine police officers and four assistants working in shifts. The patrols will cover the main streets of Beijing, and are required to reach the scene of any incident within three minutes after receiving a report.