Mumbai: There has been a dramatic decline in chain-snatching cases, almost 92 per cent, along with cases of petty theft, which could be attributable to optimum levels of police presence across the city. On a more disturbing note, crimes against women and children have been on the rise.
Between 2010 and 2013, chain-snatching incidents across the city hit the roof, with over 2,000 cases being reported annually. At the time, the then Commissioner of Police Satyapal Singh felt there was an urgent need to nip the crime in the bud. As an immediate measure, an anti-snatching squad was formed, which was ordered to patrol the streets in the morning and carry out surprise checks at strategic points.
An elaborate action plan was put in place, wherein additional police personnel on motorcycles were deployed during morning and evening peak hours. Subsequently, police also identified a total of 70 vulnerable locations in the city, which witnessed the greatest number of chain-snatching incidents. “All 70 locations were monitored by deploying preventive patrolling and surveillance of habitual offenders. We are also working on the recidivism of the habitual offenders, which will eventually stop them from committing crime,” said a senior official.
The biggest fall in chain-snatchings and petty street crimes was reported in north Mumbai, including north-west Mumbai and north-east Mumbai. A total of 2,036, 1,290, 1,031, 455 and 202 cases of chain-snatchings were reported in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively, according to a report by the non-governmental organisation, Praja Foundation.
After the terror attacks in Mumbai, police increased CCTV surveillance across the city. These cameras proved useful for police, as not only were they only able to track the bike numbers of these thieves, but also identify the culprits — chain-snatchers are usually bike-borne.
A senior police official told The Free Press Journal, the response to emergency-like situations has helped foster citizens’ trust in police. “We are moderately increasing police presence on the roads to curb street crimes, a constant effort. Street crimes have shown a decline due to strategic deployment of personnel. Decisions made at the cutting edge of police leadership, at the DCP level, to deploy men tactically, in an effective manner has helped.’’
