Crime on the rise: 3,500 robberies in first four months of 2017

Cases of street crime, car and motorcycle snatching/lifting rampant in Lahore.

LAHORE: Citizens remain at the mercy of criminals as more than 3,500 cases of theft, including street crimes, vehicle snatching/lifting and burglaries have been reported from January 1 till April 25, 2017.

This was according to data obtained by The Express Tribune through registered FIRs.

It is ironic that despite spending billions of rupees in the capacity building of policemen and deploying well-equipped forces, such as the Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit, law enforcers are unable to provide security to locals.

At least 12 robbery cases were reported in the Cantonment Division alone. Out of the 12, seven robberies were carried out by suspects wearing Rangers and police uniforms.  Residents also remain subdued by the rampant ‘thana culture’ at police stations.

Saddar Division had the unenviable distinction of topping crimes against property compared to the six other divisions. As many as 823 cases were reported in the area, including 166 muggings, 49 carjackings, 31 motorcycle snatchings, 283 motorcycle liftings, 19 vehicle liftings and 275 robberies.

Similarly, in the Cantonment Division, 679 people were robbed of their valuables. There were 153 cases of robbery, 22 incidents of car lifting, six motorcycle snatchings, 222 reports of motorcycle lifting, 19 cases of other vehicles’ lifting and 250 burglaries.

In the City Division, a total of 658 cases were reported.  Of these, 169 were that of robbery, one of car snatching, 31 of car-lifting, 27 of motorcycle snatching, 273 of motorcycle lifting, 45 of other vehicle lifting and 112 of burglaries.

Likewise, 528 cases, of which 93 were robbery, one snatching, 34 car liftings, 20 cases motorcycle snatchings, 188 motorcycle liftings, 22 cases of vehicles’ lifting and 168 cases of burglary were reported in the Model Town Division.

In Iqbal Town Division, a total of 425 cases were reported. At least 118 cases were of robbery, 30 of car-lifting, two of motorcycle snatching, 168 of motorcycle lifting, 12 of other vehicles’ lifting and 95 matters of burglary.

In the Civil Lines Division, 343 case of crime were reported. Around 108 cases of robbery, 23 cases of car-lifting, 110 cases of motorcycle lifting, 16 cases of other vehicles lifting and 86 cases of burglary were reported.

There were 12 cases in which five or more robbers were involved. Of the total, 2 were reported in Barki and as many in Manawan. In both incidents, bandits wearing army and Rangers uniforms barged into the homes and escaped with the loot. Of the 802 robberies committed, 44 were reported in Islampura, 29 in Mughalpura and 28 in the Factory Area. There were 16 cases of car snatching in Islampura, 15 in Nawab Town and 14 in Johar Town out of a total 191 were reported.

From a total of 86 cases of bike snatching, there were 10 in Shahdara, seven in Kot Lakhpat, five in Nishter Colony and as many in Green Town. Of the 1244 bike snatching cases, there were 66 in Islampura, 45 Baghbanpura, 38 Nawab Town and 36 in Shahdara.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2017.