ISLAMABAD: A significant increase was seen in criminal cases in the capital, with 9,804 criminal activities reported in the city between Jan 1 and Aug 31 this year.

This was an increase of 141.2pc when compared to 2021 when 4,063 criminal activities occurred.

Police officers told Dawn that 8,345 cases of robberies, snatching, burglary, theft and auto-theft were reported in Islamabad from Jan 1 to Aug 31 - an increase of 187.26pc compared to 2,905 incidents during the same period in 2021.

Likewise, there were 1,459 incidents of crime against persons including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping/rape and road accidents. This was an increase of 25.9pc during 2022 compared to 1,158 such incidents being recorded during the same period in 2021.

Likewise, 1,615 robberies were registered by police, including 619 since May 21, they said, adding that Industrial Area Zone was on the top with 529 incidents, 523 in rural, 432 in Saddar and 131 in city.

Police also registered 1,037 incidents of snatching, commonly known as street crime, including 379 since May 21, the officers said, adding that 384 incidents were reported in Rural Zone, 340 in Industrial Area, 232 in Saddar, and 81 in city.

Similarly, 890 burglaries were registered out of which 317 were registered since May 21, police said, adding that 365 such incidents took place in the Rural Zone, 293 in Saddar, 139 in city and 93 in Industrial Area.

The police also registered 1,899 theft cases including 558 since May 21, the officers said, adding that Saddar zone was on top with 501 incidents reported, 488 in rural zones, 474 in Industrial Area and 436 in city.

Furthermore, 464 vehicle (four wheelers) theft incidents were registered out of which 184 occurred since May 21, they said. A total of 155 vehicle theft cases took place in Saddar Zone, 112 in rural, 111 in city and 86 in Industrial Area.

Besides, 2,410 incidents of motorcycle theft, 1,069 since May 21 were registered by police, the officers said, adding that Saddar Zone was on top with 761 such crimes, 686 in Saddar, 539 in city and 424 in Industrial Area.

Moreover, 162 road accidents were also registered by police, 65 since May 21, they said, adding that Rural zone was on top with 48 road accidents, 44 in Saddar, 39 in Industrial Area and 31 in City.

The police public relations officer (PRO) was contacted for comment over increase in crime but he preferred to remain silent. Similarly, Deputy Inspector General of Police Headquarters Owaise Ahmed, who is also the head of the Public Relation Branch of the capital police, was also contacted, but he did not respond till the filing of this report.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2022