The Hindu : New Delhi News : Spurt in street crime

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Saturday, Jul 18, 2009
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Spurt in street crime

Despite allegations that a large number of incidents of snatching are deliberately not recorded by the Delhi police to show a decline in the crime graph, there has been a considerable rise in registration of cases in the recent past. But unquestionably, the spurt in street crime like snatching has perpetuated a deep sense of insecurity among the public.

As per police statistics, 684 cases of snatching were reported in different parts of the Capital till June this year compared to 604 cases during the corresponding period last year. Though the data shows an improved workout percentage, over 40 per cent of the cases still remain unsolved.

Identifying the factors responsible for this increase, a senior police officer says criminals find snatching, especially chain snatching, a more profitable option. It involves considerably less risk as women are the main target.

“An increase in the theft of motorcycles also has a direct bearing on the rise in chain snatching cases. Several of those who earlier stole motorcycles simply for joyrides have also started indulging in chain snatching. Delinquent minors who have access to motorcycles are increasingly getting involved in snatching cases. The fact that minors cannot be arrested like adults further emboldens them,” says another police officer.

Another emerging new trend is that young unemployed men from neighbouring cities such as Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Khurja in Uttar Pradesh and Sonepat and Rohtak in Haryana have started committing crimes like snatching in Delhi. “They come here in buses, snatch chains using stolen motorcycles, abandon the vehicles and decamp with the loot,” say the Delhi police.

A major challenge before the police in catching the snatchers is that most of them do not carry any weapon while committing crime. “They pass off as any other bona fide citizen during routine checks. They cannot be identified easily until and unless they are found using stolen vehicles bearing fake registration numbers,” said another police officer.

In chain snatching cases, recovery becomes almost impossible as the gold chains are immediately melted.

Another problem in ensuring conviction of the accused is inability and hesitation on the part of a large number of victims in identifying the perpetrators during the test identification parade. Identification becomes difficult as in most cases the snatchers wear helmets while committing crime and so the accused easily get out on bail.

“Adding to the problem is non-registration of many cases of snatching. In the past, we have arrested chain snatchers who disclosed their involvement in many cases, but on cross-checking we found that the local police had not registered several of them. In such circumstances, it becomes very difficult to build up a strong case against the accused,” said another police officer.

Many police officers feel that a long-term strategy will have to be drawn to identify and take action against those indulging in street crime like snatching to prevent them from graduating to more serious offences. While it is imperative to record all such cases to get a clear picture of the ground reality, the police should emphasise more on taking stern action against receivers of stolen property to ensure that the offenders do not find a market for stolen goods.

Devesh K. Pandey

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