CHANDIGARH: If thieves and burglars are smacking their lips during this festive season, it is probably because police inaction has started to bite.
In just 45 days, they have struck 52 times —13 burglaries and 39 thefts. And, these are just the official records, FIRs registered by the 16 police stations from September to October 15. Several thefts were reported at the police control room (PCR) over phone, but due to no formal complaints, FIRs were not registered, according to sources.
To give a sense of comparison, from January to August 31, police registered 68 burglary and 197 theft cases.
While cops solved a few cases, the big ones are still eluding them. To their credit, they tried to prevent them: adding a special feature “Locked House Registration” in its e-Saathi application last month. Through it, people can inform police if they are going out of station for several days, allowing beat officials to keep an extra check on their houses. But it did not help. Hardly anyone posted details before moving out of the city, said a cop.
Ketan Bansal, SP (city), said they have identified crime-prone areas like Manimajra, sector 25-38 light point, Sector 26 and markets of sectors 19 and 22 and provided extra force to police stations. Cops are checking details of those who recently came out on bail.
At the same time, vehicle thefts showed no signs of abating — police registered 51 FIRs of such cases in the 45 days.
With people visiting relatives and friends, and going by the 45-day crime record, thieves and burglars are likely to have their hands full this festive season.
