Half-naked Spartan warriors thwarted by Beijing police

Chinese police have cracked down on dozens of half-naked foreigners who hit the streets of Beijing dressed as Spartan warriors.

Curious onlookers soon swarmed around the sandal-wearing models, who had been deployed to one of Beijing’s busiest shopping districts as part of a publicity stunt masterminded by Sweetie Salad, a local food delivery firm.

“Passersby scrambled to take photos of the men when they first appeared on the street, and the volume of onlookers was deemed disturbing by authorities,” the China Daily newspaper reported.

“As the crowd grew, its adverse impact on street order grew,” reported the Beijing Youth Daily.

After repeatedly warning the foreign “warriors” to retreat, Beijing police went on the offensive to “control” the mob.

Photographs posted on Chinese social media showed officers pinning two semi-clothed Spartans to the ground on a pedestrian walkway opposite an Adidas shop.