Bike snatching incidents on the rise

47 cases reported during March as compared to 28 during same month last year


​ Our Correspondent April 23, 2020
Representational image. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: There has been a considerable increase in incidents of motorcycle snatching in the city during March as compared with the same month last year.

The month, during the ongoing year, witnessed a lockdown and extraordinary presence of pickets and law enforcement agencies to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

During the time span, most public activity including business, public services, markets and entertainment avenues had been shut down and a decrease in crime was initially observed.

As per details obtained by The Express Tribune, at least 47 cases of motorcycle snatching were reported during March 2020 as compared to 28 in March last year. During the month, 15 cases were registered in City police division as compared to five cases last year, six cases were recorded in Cantonment division in both years, while four cases were registered in Civil Lines this year and two in March 2019. In Saddar division, as many as 11 cases were registered in March this year as compared to 10 in March last year. In Iqbal Town, three cases were registered during the month this year compared to two in March 2019 whereas in Model Town, eight cases were registered as compared to three cases in March 2019.

Similar was the case regarding snatching of other vehicles. The incidents witnessed an upward trend in 2020 as 58 cases were registered in March this year as compared to 53 last year.

In March 2020, as many as 22 cases were registered in City division, nine in Cantonment division, three in Civil Lines, 10 in Saddar division, nine in Iqbal Town and five in Model Town. In March 2019, 14 cases were registered in City division, 11 in Cantonment division, six in Civil Lines division, six in Saddar, nine in Iqbal Town and seven cases in Model Town. There seemed to be no respite in cases of motorcycle lifting either as 601 cases were registered in March this year and 603 during the month last year.

In March 2020, as many as 125 cases of motorcycle theft were registered in City division, 70 in Cantonment division, 39 in Civil Lines, 147 in Saddar, 78 in Iqbal Town and 142 in Model Town division. In March last year, 121 cases were registered in City division, 116 in Cantonment division, 47 in Civil Lines, 164 in Saddar division, 70 in Iqbal Town and 85 cases in Model Town division.

At least 22 incidents of car lifting were reported last month, including three in City division, four in Cantonment, five in Civil Lines, seven in Saddar and three in Iqbal Town division. The total number of incidents of vehicle lifting and snatching during January to March was 2,273. Meanwhile, 248 cases of robbery were registered during the period.

During the first three months of the ongoing year, 98 incidents of murder were reported along with seven over resistance during robbery.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2020.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ