Robbery figures overwhelm crime records

Commenting on the situation in northwest Delhi, DCP (north-west) Satyendra Garg says: “It is a border district and therefore more prone to robberies. Investigations have revealed that most of these robberies have been committed either by novices or by gangs based in Haryana. Many of the robbers are dhobis or drivers: They are not starving, but think they will make a quick buck by robbing people.”

The police claim to have arrested as many as 169 robbers in the past two months. And at least 161 are novices: servants, students or even private security guards without a criminal past.

The only gang which is so far suspected to be behind four robberies in markets or showrooms, is the one based in Nuh, Haryana. Police teams had been sent to the gang’s possible hideouts, but did not meet with success.

Other gangs believed to be behind some of the incidents are those based in Sonepat, Etah, Bijnor, and Jind.

Statistics available at PHQ reveal that robberies have been the largest contributor to the 12 per cent increase in crime since the beginning of this year as compared to the whole of last year: 364 cases of robbery were reported till June 30.

While 46 cases were registered in June, at least 31 were registered during this months till yesterday.

The significant part is that most of the robberies took place in busy areas and by youths mainly in the age group of 20 to 30 years. And 80 per cent of the incidents — robberies or murders — did not occur at the hitherto traditional hours: between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Yet the Delhi Police, including police commissioner V.N. Singh, say that the statistics also show that the crime situation in the city is much better when compared to other Capitals in the world. And he blames whatever incidents have occurred on manpower shortage and an overstretched force.

One reason for the rising statistics in robbery is the free registration of cases and more reportage in the media. “Even in a case of robbery of Rs 50, a case is registered at the police station. This never happened earlier,” says an officer at police headquarters.

The statistics, nevertheless, have not prompted the police to draw up a contingency plan to tackle the situation, other than beefing up patrolling. Even this followed only after strict instructions from Lieutenant Governor Vijai Kapoor.

Says another Delhi Police official: “For the time being, the advice is to avoid poorly lit and desolate areas. Motorists should not stop when people ask for a lift. Anyone can be robbed anywhere because no police force can prevent robberies.”