February 28, 2007	Wednesday	Safar 10, 1428

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RAWALPINDI, Feb 27: High security alert in the city during January did not scare the criminals as they committed almost as many street crimes as they did a year ago.

However, District Police Officer Saud Aziz takes comfort in that crime did not rise and attributes the fact to police’s success in busting several gangs.

“In a sense that signifies a decrease and I hope the downward trend had continued in February,” he told Dawn.

But he quickly acknowledged that some areas — car lifting for one — needed more attention of his force.

The police data show a marked surge in vehicle lifting with 66 cars, 42 motorcycles and 18 other vehicles either snatched or stolen in the city during the first month of the year compared to 56 cars, 40 motorcycles and 23 other vehicles taken away in the corresponding period last year.

However, murder cases dropped to 12 this January from 21 last year, while attempt to murder cases slightly increased from 28 in January 2006 to 31 in the corresponding period this year.

Property-related crimes such as burglary, robbery and theft also went up sparking concern among the people who felt insecure even inside their houses.

In all, 64 burglary, 48 robbery, 11 dacoity and six other incidents were reported to the police in the first month this year compared to 59 burglary, 45 robbery, six dacoity and six other cases in the same period last year.

The police said 47 theft cases were reported in the first month this year compared to 39 in the same period last year.

There was a fall in murder cases from 21 in January 2006 to 12 this year, while 15 cases of kidnapping were reported compared to 18 last year. However, attempt to murder cases increased from 28 in 2006 to 31 this year.

As many as 165 cases of narcotics and 139 cases under the arm ordinance were reported in January 2006 compared to 148 and 120 cases, respectively, in 2006.

Similarly, 43 proclaimed offenders and 71 court absconders were captured in the first month in 2007.

The police record showed that 12 people were killed and 15 injured in road accidents in January 2007 compared to eight killed and 14 injured in 2006.

Goods worth Rs3,097,300 were either looted or stolen in January 2007 compared to goods valuing at Rs700,800 taken away in the same period in 2006.

The police recovered stolen goods valuing Rs240,000 in January 2007 compared to those worth Rs100,000 recovered in the same period last year.