Delhi: Car theft rise worries police

New Delhi: In a bid to control motorcycle thefts in the national capital, the Delhi police is exploring the possibility of starting a dedicated telephone number for its staff to make on-spot queries about the stolen vehicles. While motor vehicle (MV) theft has seen a spike, according to sources motorcycle theft cases have risen from last year. 

Sources said that on July 6, a meeting of the top Delhi police officials was held and the strategy to prevent motorcycle thefts was discussed.

“The commissioner of police (CP) wanted to know what kind of strategies are being adopted by the district DCPs to prevent motorcycle thefts, as these are found linked mostly with robbery and snatching. The top brass of Delhi police told the district DCPs to identify the areas from where the most number of motorcycles are being stolen. He also said that dynamic picket checking should be conducted in the theft prone areas during vulnerable timings,” said the sources. 

In the meeting it was discussed that special CP (operations) should explore the possibility of setting up a dedicated telephone number for the police staff to inquire about the stolen vehicles from the incident site directly.

“ACP (sub divisions) and SHOs were instructed to hold the meeting with the RWAs (resident welfare associations) of these areas and to brief them adequately about related preventive measures. They were asked to implement the neighborhood watch scheme in colonies in an effective and meaningful manner. Unclaimed vehicles lying in the police stations, if not linked with any crime, should be released at the earliest. Inspectors (vigilance) should be tasked with checking the tendency in the police station and submit the reports,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, with the statistics available with Delhi police, it has been learnt that the city witnesses at least four MV thefts in an hour on an average, whereas over 108 MV thefts take place in the city in a day. Between January 1 and June 15, as many as 17,949 vehicles have been stolen in the national capital.