Crime rate dips, snatchings on the rise

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 21

Though there has been a substantial increase in snatching incidents in the city as compared to the first six months of the previous year, the overall crime rate has witnessed a downward trend, said Police Commissioner SS Srivastava at his first press conference after assuming office here today.

He said necessary measures were being taken to curb snatching. The city witnessed 222 snatching cases as compare to 121 last year. Srivastava, however, pointed out that this was due to the transparency as the city police registered all cases reported here.

During the first three months this year, as many as 154 instances of snatchings were reported while the figure was just 44 in the first three month last year. Nevertheless, the figure (77) as compare to next three months (April, May and June) dipped this year (68).

He said the rate of cracking snatching cases have increased this year. In first six months last year, only 40 cases were solved while the figure is 81 this year. The police have also arrested 49 snatchers in 2017. It has also held 72 proclaimed offenders and 47 missing persons this year.

Meanwhile, city police have got four new police stations – Majitha Road, Ranjit Avenue, Mohkampura and Verka. Earlier, these were police posts.