Crime overview for 2015: Bandits rule provincial capital

Surge seen in robberies, bike-snatching; decline in murders

PESHAWAR:

The city experienced a small but palpable surge in criminal activities in 2015. A spike was observed in the number of robberies, assaults and bike-snatching, even though the year has not come to an end as yet. However, the decline was noticed in major crimes such as murders and kidnappings

Violence against women

According to police records available with The Express Tribune, at least 30 cases of “zina” were lodged in the city as opposed to 15 in 2014, showing an increase.

Even though burglary cases have decreased by 2015, 169 were reported in 2015 as yet, compared to 184 last year, at least 51 robberies were committed this year, five more than 2014.

Ordinary theft was also on a rise in the city as 229 theft cases were registered against 192 in 2014. Motorbike-snatching witnessed a surge as 96 cases were reported in 2014 against 69 in 2014. The number of fatal road accidents also jumped to 105 against 96 last year, while non-fatal accidents increased to 369 in 2015 from 326 last year.

Around 24 cases of assault on people were filed in 2014; 10 were filed in 2014.

A police official on condition of anonymity told The Express Tribune, “There are a variety of factors responsible for the recorded increase; the influx of internally displaced persons which left thousands homeless and jobless.” He added, “Police is now focusing on crimes such as extortion, kidnapping for ransom as terrorism cases are being dealt with by the counter-terrorism department.”

The decline

As yet 430 people were murdered in the city this year as against 669 in 2014, showing a sharp decline. Attempted murder cases stand at 594; 2014 saw at least 675 such cases. In all, 26 kidnapping for ransom cases were reported in 2015 as compared to 67
last year.

Similarly, 67 kidnappings over disputes were registered in the current year as opposed to 88 in 2014. There were 54 cases of assault on police personnel in 2015 as against 81 in 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2015.