Crime stats depict rising insecurity

Police claim taking ‘stern action’ against criminals across province

LAHORE:

An increase of over 100 per cent has been recorded in the number of calls made on Police Helpline 15 during the first five months of the ongoing year as compared to 2022.

As many as 75,336 calls were received this year as compared to 33,188 during the same period last year, showing an increase of 127%.

During the first five months of the last year, 190 complaints of dacoity were made as compared to 280 this year, an increase of 47%.

While 10,964 calls about snatching of valuables made last year, the figure for the ongoing year is 54% higher at 16,435. The province-wide crime statistics also show an unpleasant trend.

During the whole 2022, the number of crimes reported in Punjab was over 760,000. However, at least 328,313 FIRs were registered during the first four months of 2023.

Out of them, 22,896 FIRs were of offences against person, 182,269 against property and 67,229 of local and special laws.

During the period, as many as 1,546 cases of murder, 2,779 of attempt to murder, 5,267 of hurt, 7,258 of kidnapping and 26 of kidnapping for ransom were registered throughout the province.

In addition, 1,126 cases of rape and 136 of gang rape were registered.

In the category of crimes against property, 542 cases of dacoity, 32,421 of robbery, 11,271 of burglary, 1,133 of theft, 39,673 of vehicle theft, 5,996 of vehicle snatching and 7,997 of cattle theft were registered in the province, as per official data.

On the other hand, police claim taking stern action against the criminals. According to Lahore police, they have arrested 8,824 proclaimed offenders (POs), 18,859 court absconders and 9,096 target offenders this year.

In the Cantonment Division, 1,939 proclaimed offenders, 3,310 court absconders and 2,112 target offenders were apprehended.

In the Civil Lines Division, 803 proclaimed offenders, 1,484 court absconders and 1,020 target offenders were arrested. The city division claimed the arrest of 1,795 proclaimed offenders, 4,367 court absconders and 2,096 target offenders. In the Iqbal Town Division, 1,044 proclaimed offenders, 2,503 court absconders and 1,284 target offenders were apprehended. The Saddar Division saw the arrest of 1,676 proclaimed offenders, 3,333 court absconders and 1,476 target offenders. In the Model Town Division, 1,567 proclaimed offenders, 3,862 court absconders and 1,108 target offenders were captured, a spokesman added.

The spokesperson of Punjab Police announced that during June, 10,076 criminals and 1,934 fugitives were apprehended across Punjab.

Among the arrested, 1,378 were wanted for various offences, including 268 cases of murder, 107 of robbery, 973 of theft, 12 of dacoity and five of kidnapping for ransom.

The Lahore district topped the list with 245 arrests, followed by Sialkot with 151 and Faisalabad with 120.

In addition, 1,934 proclaimed offenders were apprehended from different areas of the province.

With the assistance of Interpol, 88 dangerous criminals have been extradited to Pakistan this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2023.