NEW DELHI - Interpol proposed on Wednesday the creation of global and regional anti-crime centers to fight criminal activity online and respond quickly to emergency cybercrime alerts.

The Internet should not be allowed to become a place where criminals have the upper hand and can escape punishment, Interpol Secretary-General Ronald K. Noble told an international cybercrimes conference in New Delhi.

Officials from 37 countries discussed identity theft, online bank fraud, Internet gaming and the risks of online terrorist activity during a two-day conference in the Indian capital. It was organized by France-based Interpol, the world's largest international police organization, with 186 member countries.

Creating global and regional anti-crime centers "is an ambitious idea, but we are determined to turn (it) into a reality because this problem is too big for even the G-8 and Council of Europe," Noble said. "It requires a truly global response."

The centers would help law enforcement around the world with investigations, training and accessing resources from a combined team of police officers and computer experts, he said.

Inaugurating the conference, Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil also called for international cooperation in combating Internet crimes.