Security workers across China offered tips that led to the detention of 142,100 suspects last year and helped prevent a potential economic loss of 5.773 billion yuan (888 million U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Public Security on Thursday.

Also, 17 security workers died in the line of duty and another 3,715 were injured, according to figures released Thursday by the ministry.

"Security staff have become an important force to assist China's police departments in ensuring social order, and the security service industry is now an important part of the country's market economy that helps boost employment," said an unnamed ministry official.

China's first security service company was founded in 1984 in southern Shenzhen.

As of 2010, China has 2,966 security service companies and 4.21 million security workers. These companies, with fixed assets totaling 9.49 billion yuan, have an average annual turnover of 27.76 billion yuan.

The official also praised the role of the country's security workers in ensuring the safety of major social activities, such as the Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Shanghai World Expo, as well as the relief work after the earthquakes in Wenchuan and Yushu.

In 2010, four security service providers and 121 security workers were honored by the state.