LAHORE, April 5: The incidence of car and motorcycle snatching at gunpoint in the city has increased by about 200 per cent during the first quarter (Jan-March) of 2002 as compared to the corresponding period last year.
Statistics obtained from the Punjab police crimes branch show that some 16 cars have been snatched in the first three months as compared to five taken away last year. Similarly, 23 motorcycles were reported to have been snatched as compared to nine driven away at gunpoint during the same period last year.
Police sources believe the reported incidents do not reflect the actual situation as the police not only discourage lodging of reports, but also use all delaying tactics in the registration of such crimes. Besides, the police never ever show the actual statistics in record to be submitted to the senior hierarchy.
On the direction of the governor, the Punjab police crimes branch is doing a study on such crimes. The governor is scheduled to discuss the car and motorcycle snatching besides reviewing the law and order situation in a meeting in the next few days.
The governor had reportedly expressed his dissatisfaction over the police performance in crime against property, especially the car-snatching. Lahore is said to be on top of the list as far as the armed hold-ups are concerned and the police have repeatedly been warned by the senior administration in this regard.
However, a slight decrease has been observed in car and motorcycle thefts during the period under review. The record shows that 134 cars were stolen in the first three months of this year against 165 taken away during same period last year. Some 249 motorcycles were reported to have been stolen from January to March this year against 275 lifted in the same period in the year 2001.
Admitting that there is an increase in the snatching incidents, Lahore Operations and Prevention SSP Aftab Cheema said: “I do not know what exactly is the increase in percentage or in number in the three months.” However, an increase in this regard has been noted in incidents reported in March this year, he said.
Claiming to have no knowledge of the increase, SP crimes against property of police investigation wing Aslam Sahi said that two very important gangs of carjackers had recently been busted. Its members were being interrogated to help check the car-snatching, he claimed. In the same period under review in 2000, 170 cars were either snatched or stolen as compared to 179 snatched or stolen in the year 1999. Of them, according to the official record, 29 and 37 cases were traced respectively during the two years. Similarly, 324 motorcycles were either stolen or snatched from January to March in 2000 as compared to 316 in 1999. Of them, 48 and 39 cases, respectively for the two years, are said to have been solved.
During the year 2001, some 133 cars worth Rs70.75 million were snatched as compared to 128 worth Rs50.11 million driven away at gunpoint in 2000. Some 151 cars were snatched in 1999, 212 in 1998, 228 in 1997, 156 in 1996, 146 in 1995, 179 in 1994, 98 in 1993, 89 in 1992 and 53 in 1991.
Some 588 cars worth over Rs130 million were stolen in 2001, 721 cars worth Rs170 million were taken away in 2000, 880 were stolen in 1999, 702 in 1998, 806 in 1997, 901 in 1996, 688 in 1995, 720 in 1994, 493 in 1993, 410 in 1992 and 422 in 1991.
In the year 2001, some 140 motorcycles were snatched as compared to 210 in 2000. In 1999, 116 motorcycles were snatched, 159 were taken away in 1998, 219 in 1997, 135 in 1996, 88 in 1995, 126 in 1994, 83 in 1993, 92 in 1992 and 29 in 1991.
Similarly, 1,243 motorcycles were lifted in 2001, 1,465 in 2000, 1,340 in 1999, 1,299 in 1998, 1,407 in 1997, 1,363 in 1996, 1,437 in 1995, 1,126 in 1994, 812 in 1993, 1,026 in 1992 and 858 in 1991.