BEIJING, Feb. 3 -- China's railway police have detained 2,574 scalpers since Jan. 1 as the country's busiest travel season will officially kick off on Wednesday.

Police have cracked down on about 2,150 scalping cases in the past month, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement Tuesday.

About 289 million people are expected to travel by train during the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) season, officially set by the government from Feb. 4 to March 15, an increase of 10.1 percent from last year.

Police have raised security along all railway lines ahead of the travel season, especially railway bridges and tunnels, the ministry statement said.

Since Jan. 1, police also detained 416 suspects involved in robbery, fraud and theft cases on trains, it said.

During the travel season, the police will work with railway departments to better prepare for emergencies and tighten checks to prevent dangerous substances from being taken on train.