Violence round-up: Province witnesses decline in crime

Decrease in murder, kidnapping, robbery and vehicle theft observed by police.

PESHAWAR: The first quarter of 2015 has seen a significant decrease in crime in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as compared with the same period the previous year, stated a handout issued by the provincial police.

It noted a decrease in cases of murder and kidnapping for ransom in the first three months of the year. “At least 518 murder cases have been reported this year as compared with 675 murders reported between January and March 2014,” added the handout which was issued earlier this week.

Similarly, only 16 people were reported kidnapped for ransom in K-P in the first quarter of this year as compared with 34 people who were held for ransom during the same period in 2014. According to the handout, 194 people were abducted in the province in the first three months of the previous year. However, this year, only 175 people have been reportedly taken from K-P.

Theft and extortion

There has been a decline in the number of armed robberies in the province. Only 15 cases were reported during the first quarter of 2015 as compared with 21 cases reported during the same period last year, the handout read.

It went on to state that 104 vehicles were stolen in the province in the first three months of 2015; at least 131 vehicles were stolen during the same period in 2014.

Meanwhile, only 29 cases of theft and two of extortion have been reported between January and March as compared with 314 and 60 cases, respectively, in 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2015.