City dwellers remained hostage to muggers

Citizens deprived of over 27,000 handsets, 58,000 motorcycles, more than 2,000 cars so far this year

KARACHI:

People of the metropolis remained hostage to armed robbers throughout the year.

Citizens were expecting some improvement in the law and order with the arrival of caretaker government and appointment of new police chiefs of the province and the Karachi division. However, their hopes of better security were dashed to the ground, as armed marauders, individuals or in groups continued to target citizens robbing them on streets, tea shops, restaurants, general and superstores.

In some incidents, robbers set up pickets on main roads, snatched cash and wallets from people at gun point in minutes and escaped unchallenged.

According to the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) annual report for 2023, muggers snatched more than 27,681 mobile phones at gunpoint from people this year, almost 75 handsets per day.

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The report stated that more than 58,000 motorbikes were stolen or snatched at gunpoint this year almost 159 two-wheelers per day.

This year has witnessed a record increase in car and motorbike thefts when compared to last year.

Giving the monthly breakup, the report said, muggers snatched 2,379 mobile phones at gunpoint from people in January; 2,255 in February; 2,577 in March; 2,253 in April; 2,472 in May; 2,200 in June; 2,092 in July; 2,582 in August; 2,464 in September; 2,446 in October; 2,272 in November and 1,689 in December so far.

The report also stated that this year, August was the month when the most of mobile phones of citizens were taken away. This year, there have been 75 mobile phone thefts in the city per day, three in an hour, and one every eighteen minutes.

According to the reports, there were 4,643 motorcycle lifting incidents reported in January; 4,380 in February; and 5,57 in March; 4,873 citizens lost their motorcycles in April, 5,208 in May; and 4,748 in June. Additionally, there were reports of 4,912 motorcycle lifting occurrences in July; 5,396 in August; and 5,399 in September; in October 5,213 and in November 4,724 motorcycles were reported stolen and snatched. So far, 3,990 bikes have been reported stolen or snatched in December.

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The highest number of motorcycle lifting incidents occurred in September. The daily rate of motorcycle lifting has surpassed 162 this year, compared to 155 the previous year. In the city, six motorbikes are reported stolen or snatched per hour.

According to the records, the number of stolen motorbikes has increased at an unprecedented rate. This year, 7,185 motorcycles were snatched from citizens at gunpoint, while last year's number was 4,970.

The number of motorbike theft incidents increased by a record 55% this year. As per the report, the annual number of car snatching cases is rising at an unprecedented rate. This year, 2,017 vehicles have been snatched from citizens at gunpoint and only 261 were stolen.

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During the year 227 cars were snatched at gunpoint in January; 178 in February; 188 in March; 161 in April; 165 in May; 193 in June; 158 in July; 231 in August; 167 in September; 207 in October; 189 in November, and 175 in December so far.

Car snatching incidences have increased by a record 62% over the previous year. In the city, around six expensive cars were snatched stolen every day this year, the document said stating police data.

People have expressed dissatisfaction with police performance this year as well, claiming that rather than improving daily, police performance is progressively declining. Who can the general public look to for justice if those who uphold the law are themselves breaking it? In order to give the public confidence that the police would defend their lives and property, the citizens demanded that the policemen leave their rooms and come on the streets and roadways. The law of the jungle will be enforced in the city if the situation does not improve.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2023.