Crime review: Despite ‘all-out efforts’, criminals make a mockery of the law

CPO says crime figures for first quarter of 2012 lower than last year.

RAWALPINDI:

Criminals are making a mockery of the law, which is evidenced by the rising number of crimes reported in the garrison city during the last three months. According to the police and newspaper reports, 52 homicides, 200 thefts, 185 robberies, and 430 vehicles thefts were reported across Rawalpindi District during the first quarter of 2012.

But if it is of any consolation, the figures are lower than those recorded during the same period last year, City Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Hameed Khokhar told The Express Tribune on Sunday.

According to a crime report issued by the district police, 105 cases of attempted murder were reported during the period, in addition to nine rapes, 131 kidnappings, 49 of gambling, and 570 for possession of illegal weapons. Another 22 criminal cases were registered against police officials for their alleged involvement in criminal cases, the report stated.

A total of 16 cars, 13 motorcycles and six other vehicles were snatched by force, while 206 cars, 130 motorcycles and 59 other vehicles were stolen while parked in different parts of the city.

The report stated that the police recovered stolen valuables for 99 of the 200 theft and 141 burglary cases reported. The 185 robberies reported during the period include home invasions, street robberies and robberies committed by gangs of five or more, the report elaborated.

In addition to the findings of the report, high-ranking police officials and some field officers revealed that the majority of vehicles were stolen from major markets, particularly Saddar Bazaar.

The officials said that thieves mostly targeted small cars such as Suzuki Mehrans or motorcycles; hence, depriving mostly middle class people of their hard-earned assets. The officials cited the ease in stripping smaller vehicles for parts and the rising demand for such parts as a factor behind the trend.

The figures raise questions over the effectiveness of recent measures taken by the district police to minimise crime, such as the introduction of model police stations, increasing the number of awareness campaigns about safety measures for vehicles, and setting up pickets at the city’s main entry points.

CPO Khokhar said that the district police are taking all-out measures to decrease crime in Rawalpindi. He said that as a result of calls received by the 15 emergency helpline, many cars have been recovered from Attock. He added that laptops containing updated data about stolen vehicles have been given to heads of all police stations to assist in recovery.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2012.