Look for ‘ectomorph’ body type, zig-zag riding: Delhi Police chief’s tips for identifying snatchers

“Four to seven spotters should be deployed depending upon the crime incidence, profile and topography of the (area that comes under a) police station. These spotters should be trained in identifying the cues of snatchers and robbers,” the circular said. It added that the identifiers include an ectomorphic body (tall and slim, with narrow shoulders and a low muscle mass percentage), “operating in pairs and driving in zig-zag furtive gazing patterns”. The spotters “should be recruited from the most crime-infested beats. Their work profile should be strictly that of spotters, since their capacity to accurately identify snatchers and robbers increases with time,” Asthana said in the circular, marked to all of Delhi’s 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). Asthana said these personnel can also continue carrying out their regular beat duties.

“One or two CCTV experts, who have full knowledge and access to CCTV cameras installed in the area” should also be deployed, the circular added.

The idea for implementing Operation Hawk-Eye came after it was found that the Outer North district had recorded an unusually high number of snatching and robbery cases this year. A total of 206 incidents of snatching were reported this year until June 28, up from 134 last year. Also, 109 robbery cases were reported this year, compared to 73 last year.

“There should be a control desk, and team members of Hawk-Eye should register their presence with the control desk via GPS location sharing. Their positioning is an outcome of the temporal and spatial analysis of crime patterns and the prevalent dynamics in that area. Whenever they will catch a suspect, they will inform the control desk as well as the police station”, after which a police vehicle will be dispatched to apprehend the suspect, Asthana wrote in the circular.

He also said there would be a dedicated interrogation team, called the “scorpion squad”, consisting of two to three personnel who keep track of the “latest mobile numbers used by criminals, their general activities and the whereabouts of those released on bail”.

“A specialised interrogation team is a crucial segment and asset as it will not only interrogate the targets when caught, but also undertake sustained follow-up when the criminals are released on bail,” the circular said.

Asthana added that DCPs of other districts should also adopt this model as per their requirements. “It should be reviewed on a regular basis, and necessary modifications should be carried out based on the performances and outcomes,” he said.