Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Law & Order

Following frequent complaints of vehicle thefts, a well-planned strategy has been evolved to curb the menace, reports S. Vijay Kumar

Vehicle-lifting made tough

Stealing two-wheelers from parking lots and residential localities may not be easy anymore.

Following frequent complaints of vehicle thefts from different parts of the city, the Crime Branch sleuths have evolved a well-planned strategy to curb the menace. During the last three months, the number of two-wheeler lifting cases came down drastically, though the same cannot be said about bicycle thefts.

Apart from introducing motorcycle patrol in residential colonies, vigil on vulnerable zones, such as shopping malls and Government offices, has been enhanced. Intensive vehicle checks at out-posts and surprise checks after dusk in all police station limits have also helped in keeping tabs on habitual offenders.

Besides, plainclothesmen have been asked to keep a watch on clandestine automobile garages, which broker sale of stolen motorcycles and help dismantle vehicles for sale in scrap markets. At busy business establishments, the local police maintain surveillance on suspicious characters.

However, the police are yet to break the inter-district network of a gang that steals and transports vehicles to other areas. Their `modus operandi' is to prepare fake registration certificates and change number plates to sell stolen two-wheelers to persons in far away places. Old vehicle are usually dismantled and sold as spare parts.

"The number of two-wheeler thefts has come down by 40 per cent this year. In areas where there are frequent complaints, we have deployed policemen on foot patrol. Special teams have been formed to exclusively concentrate on curbing vehicle thefts," says the Commissioner of Police, Vijay Kumar.

The Crime Branch police say buyers of stolen motorcycles are mostly anti-social elements that use the vehicles for committing offences such as chain-snatching. "Despite the low price, there are many takers for vehicles that have dubious records. Earlier, there were complaints of a particular motorcycle's engine being smuggled to the Rameswaram coast for use in motorboats. The awareness level of the people has gone up and they thoroughly verify the authenticity of documents before purchasing used vehicles," says another police official.

Confessions of some dossier criminals reveal that locks do not come in the way while stealing vehicles. While use of chains to fasten parked vehicles might help minimise risk of theft, police say it is better to keep two-wheelers indoors during night. The concept of burglar alarm, however, is yet to catch up with vehicle-users.

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