JOIN USSoaring auto thefts cause public frustration, anger
Motor vehicle thefts constituted almost 1/5th of the total Indian Penal Code crimes reported in the capital last year with police acknowledging that the cases ended up to be a major cause of public frustration and anger towards the force.
In 2014, police registered 22,223 motor vehicle theft cases as against 13,895 cases in 2013.
“The acute shortage of parking space and the general practice of parking vehicles on roadsides, and unwillingness of a majority of motor vehicle owners to install anti-auto theft equipment are major contributing factor,” says Special Commissioner (Crime Branch) Taj Hassan.
Police say people expect early recovery of their vehicle and apprehension of the culprit because the theft of a vehicle causes not only an economic loss, but also loss of mobility.
However, working out percentage of auto thefts happens to be low, as arrests are based on operations against known or budding auto thieves.
Only 10 per cent of the vehicles – 2,322 – were recovered and 2,925 auto thieves were arrested in 2014.
Among the stolen vehicles, 15,237 were two-wheelers, 6,019 cars and 994 other vehicles.
“Investigation rarely proceeds from crime to criminal as no clue is generally left at the spot apart from CCTV camera footage. Since most of the vehicles are insured, victims expect police to promptly register their complaint and take up investigation for early finalisation of the case,” said another police officer.
Slow investigation along with occasional reluctance to register FIR adds to a victim’s woes.
Overburdened investigating officers at local police stations are also often accused of causing delay in even completing preliminary investigation process.
“The process includes steps like dissemination of information about the theft, keeping track of information about vehicles recovered within or outside the jurisdiction of the police station and helping the complainant in getting the vehicle released,” the officer added.
Police statistics also reveal that over 60 vehicles are stolen on an average in the capital every day. It also shows that more vehicles were stolen in the capital last year than the number of those lifted in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad put together.
According to police, thieves in the capital are mostly on the lookout for two-wheelers. The reason being the little effort required to hide or dispose them. When it comes to car thefts, the demand and supply model determines the actions of the thieves.
“Usually, when a car is stolen the thieves keep it in their hideout for a day. So, the chances of recovery are high on the first day or it might not be recovered at all,” the officer added.
The large number of undetected cases have also prompted police to provide online registration of FIR in such cases.
Victims whose vehicles are not traced after police investigation would soon receive an online copy of the closure report, thus making the process of claiming insurance easier.
About 1.50 lakh cases under IPC were registered by Delhi Police last year, which was almost double of the cases filed in 2013.
It also included 561 cases of murder, 745 attempt to murders, 2,069 rapes, 4,179 molestations, 6,944 snatchings, 6,180 robberies and 12,256 house thefts.