Crimes of snatchings, motor vehicle thefts and burglaries in Chandigarh have increased considerably in 2008 compared to the corresponding period in 2007, admit senior officials of Chandigarh police.
"Although, we have been able to restrict the crime rate in the city, still there are 3-4 areas of major worry. Cases of riots, chain and mobile snatchings, motor vehicle thefts, house burglaries and other petty thefts have increased," said S.S. Srivastava, Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh Wednesday.
"We have drafted a comprehensive report, comparing the various crimes from Jan 1, 2008 to Aug 31 2008 with the corresponding period in 2007. Crimes like murders and rapes have decreased marginally," Srivastava said.
According to the official reports released by Chandigarh police, during these eight months in 2007, 122 cases of burglaries were registered while in 2008, 173 cases have been registered with an increase of 42 percent.
505 cases of motor vehicle theft were registered in 2007 during this period whereas this year 756 cases have been registered accounting an increase of almost 50 percent.
Similarly, there is an increase of 25 percent in the cases of snatching in 2008 compared to 2007. Riots in the city have increased at a rate of 58 percent in 2008 as compared to 2007.
Surprisingly, despite such meteoric rise in crime rate in Chandigarh a leading weekly national magazine has ranked Chandigarh at first place among union territories in law and order situation.
"To curb the crime rate in the city we have increased the night vigil and patrolling. Special check points have been installed during late hours in various sectors in collaboration with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials," said Srivastava.
"We are also planning to seal some most vulnerable areas of the city between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Police will keep records of every individual and every vehicle coming to that area during that period," Srivastava added.