Police to restructure AVLC to curb rising vehicle theft

KARACHI:

Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon announced the restructuring of the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC), a sub-unit of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), to address the growing menace of vehicle theft and snatching in Sindh.

As part of the new plan, AVLC personnel will be deployed at three key entry/exit points of Karachi and four in interior Sindh, working in coordination with the Highway Patrol Police. The SPs of Hyderabad and Sukkur Highway Patrol have been given additional charge of SP AVLC, while the Karachi Police Chief and DIG Establishment have been directed to provide immediate manpower.

During a meeting chaired by the IG Sindh, senior police officials, the CPLC Chief, and officers from KMC, PDMA, and other departments reviewed the current performance of AVLC. SSP AVLC briefed that since its establishment in 2001, the unit has cracked down on gangs involved in vehicle theft and smuggling, but new criminal methods require greater use of technology and field integration.

The Karachi Police Chief noted that two-thirds of crimes in Karachi relate to vehicle theft and snatching, adding that the AVLC's reorganization will help reduce street crime. CPLC Chief emphasized the need for more manpower, modern equipment, and separate investigating officers for large and small vehicle cases.

IG Sindh directed that AVLC personnel be exempted from routine emergency duties to focus on investigations, and announced a system of cash rewards for recoveries while negligence will invite disciplinary action. An implementation report on the restructuring plan will be presented in the next review meeting.