Street crimes still menacing Karachi, show CPLC statistics

Statistics released by the Citizens-Liaison Police Committee (CPLC) show that street crimes are still very much menacing the people of Karachi, The News has learnt.

Four people were gunned down and nine others wounded by muggers during the first 20 days of Ramazan when the victims resisted the snatching attempts, compared to two killings and 18 injuries in the corresponding period last year, while 611 locals were deprived of their mobile phones, compared to 696 snatchings last year.

Sixty-nine four-wheelers were stolen and 13 others snatched, compared to 105 thefts and 12 snatchings last year, while 1,287 two-wheelers were stolen and 154 others snatched, compared to 1,437 thefts and 163 snatchings last year.

Thirty-eight cases of robberies at houses, factories, offices and shops were reported across the city, compared to 41 such cases last year, while 

While no bank, filling station or post office was robbed this year or the previous year during the first 20 days of Ramazan, there was one case of robbery reported at the airport this year.

Two cases of highway robbery and one of a loaded vehicle were reported in the corresponding period last year, but neither of such cases has occurred this year.

First five months

The 2016 and 2017 statistics of the first five months  show that a lot more needs to be done to curb the menace of street crimes in the city.

In January 2016, 19 four-wheelers were snatched and 160 others stolen. This January, 20 were snatched and 123 stolen. In February 2016, 21 four-wheelers were snatched and 127 others stolen. This February, 16 were snatched and 95 stolen.

In March 2016, nine four-wheelers were snatched and 129 others stolen. This March, 14 were snatched and 90 stolen. In April 2016, 13 four-wheelers were snatched and 101 others stolen. This April, 22 were snatched and 102 stolen. In May 2016, 18 four-wheelers were snatched and 125 others stolen. This May, 18 were snatched and 113 stolen.

In January 2016, 200 two-wheelers were snatched and 1,633 others stolen. This January, 121 were snatched and 1,727 stolen. In February 2016, 163 two-wheelers were snatched and 1,563 others stolen. This February, 134 were snatched and 1,662 stolen.

In March 2016, 226 two-wheelers were snatched and 1,655 others stolen. This March, 198 were snatched and 1,867 stolen. In April 2016, 166 two-wheelers were snatched and 1,662 others stolen. This April, 194 were snatched and 1,867 stolen. In May 2016, 268 two-wheelers were snatched and 1,819 others stolen. This May, 161 were snatched and 2,041 stolen.

In January 2016, 1,593 mobile phones were snatched and 1,537 others stolen. This January, 1,181 were snatched and 1,441 stolen. In February 2016, 1,417 mobile phones were snatched and 1,450 others stolen. This February, 1,018 were snatched and 1,311 stolen.

In March 2016, 1,283 mobile phones were snatched and 1,572 others stolen. This March, 1,079 were snatched and 1,357 stolen. In April 2016, 1,220 mobile phones were snatched and 1,523 others stolen. This April, 1,122 were snatched and 1,528 stolen. In May 2016, 1,315 mobile phones were snatched and 1,718 others stolen. This May, 910 were snatched and 1424 stolen.

In the first five months of last year, 13 kidnappings for ransom were reported: one in January, six in February and two each in March, April and May. In the corresponding period this year, three such cases were reported: one each in January, April and May.

In the first five months of last year, 43 extortion cases were reported: 10 in January, 13 in February, 14 in March and three each in April and May. This year, 22 such cases were reported: seven in January and April, three each in February and May and two in March.

Karachi police chief Addl IGP Mushtaq Mehar told The News on Wednesday that curbing street crimes was a challenge for the city’s law enforcers, but he made the assurance that they were doing their best to overcome their shortcomings. “If you compare the incidents of street crimes from 2016 with 2017, particularly those committed during Ramazan, you can easily see a significant decline in street crimes, except in thefts of two-wheelers.”