Despite claims, vehicle thefts increase in city

New Delhi: The rising number of thefts in the  capital belies the Delhi police’s claim that they are doing their best to curb crime. According to the data provided by Delhi police, there has been a rise by more than 7 per cent in motor vehicle theft  cases in Delhi, despite the police’s repeated efforts to reduce it.

Approximately five cars are stolen every hour in the city, while more than 113 cars are stolen during any given day.

According to the latest data, there has been a steady increase in the number of vehicle thefts. Till last week (March 15), a total of 8,430 vehicles were stolen in the city compared to 7,825 last year, ( till March 15).

Residents said that the figure can go higher as in many cases the police do not register FIRs.

Though the police express helplessness citing shortage of staff and patrolling vehicles, their negligence has emboldened the criminals, said a victim.

The main reason behind increasing crime in the city is the inadequate presence of police personnel during night time. Incidentally, auto thefts take place during the night inspite of night patrolling.

In July last year, a meeting of top Delhi police officers was held and the strategy to prevent motorcycle thefts was discussed, but the present data contradicts it.

A senior Delhi police officer had told the district police to identify the localities from where the most motorcycles are stolen and also that dynamic picket checking should be conducted in the theft-prone areas during vulnerable timings.

The ACPs (sub division) and the SHOs were instructed to organise meetings with the local RWAs and to brief them about related preventive measures.

They were asked to implement the neighbourhood watch scheme in these colonies in an effective manner.

However after all these efforts by the Delhi police, it is a pity that they unable to control auto and vehicle thefts in the capital.