Interestingly, there has been a sharp drop in theft of other two-wheelers. The comparative figures from previous years show that there is no hike in thefts of bike and scooter at all, said joint CP (crime) Murlidhar Sharma.
There has been a change in the pattern of crime since March, especially during the periods we have seen a total lockdown. Crime for gain, in particular, has become more innovative. It would help if some of us are a little less gullible. Much of this type of crime can be prevented by citizens being more careful.
During the pandemic, the city has seen crime at an all-time low, said police sources. And the drop in the number of two-wheeler thefts is an indicator — from an average of as many as 16 a month, the numbers had come down to less than five in April and May. The numbers have seen a slight increase after the unlocking began (still less than the average). But it’s the theft of cycles and involvement of first-timers in the crimes that have drawn the attention of Lalbazar.
Costly bicycles, scooterette and even their batteries have also become the targets. The Covid pandemic has led several people to bank on two-wheelers, particularly cycles, to maintain social distancing.
“There has already been a few cases reported from Sinthee (a costly mountain bike), Behala and Sealdah-Muchipara areas.We used to note down bicycle thefts in the early phase of our policing career. The crime index board in police stations used to have the last row dedicated to theft of cycles. Motorcycles replaced the word cycles over the years,” an officer of the detective department’s anti-burglary wing said. “There were not even 10 bicycle thefts last year in the entire city. The figure is more than that this year,” he added.
Arrest of two youths with a stolen two-wheeler at Shyampukur a couple of days ago is one such example. Sergeant Alok Ghosh of Maniktala police, during his night round, arrested two persons with a Honda Activa Scooty, which the duo had stolen from Gourio Math Shyampukur two months ago. Similarly, a minor was apprehended for allegedly stealing the two-wheeler of Tiljala’s Sk Irfan (21) on August 22. The police probe found that the minor had committed the crime after finding the two-wheeler parked in front of a restaurant on Beniapukur Road. Cops said all three had no previous records.
Detective department says those carrying out these thefts now have no links with gangs.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cycle-thefts-in-cov-times-keep-cops-on-toes/articleshow/77750060.cms
