The city has witnessed a rapid increase in petty crimes and theft in September 2020 as compared to the same month last year, according to a report by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). Street crime has been rampant in the city this past month. The report highlights a dramatic rise in motorcycle theft and mobile snatching. According to the report, 269 instances of motorcycle snatching were reported in the past month as compared to 147 reports of the crime in September 2019, indicating an increase of an alarming 82 per cent. Meanwhile, at least 2,471 instances of mobile phone snatching were reported in September this year as compared to 1,735 cases in the corresponding month last year. The CPLC noted a 42 per cent increase in the crime. Similarly, 2,806 instances of motorcycle lifting were reported last September as compared to 3,948 reports in September 2020, indicating an increase of 40 per cent. On the other hand, a slightly lower number of car thefts was noted this past month as compared to the corresponding month in the previous year, according to the report. At least 25 four-wheeler vehicles were snatched and 159 stolen this September as compared to 26 snatched and 163 stolen in the same month the previous year. According to the CPLC, the highest number of vehicles stolen was reported in January 2020 and the second highest in September 2020. Besides, the report adds, at least three instances of extortion and 37 incidents of looting were also reported last month.
