Sharp decline in crime incidents during lockdown

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 14

A sharp decline in the crime graph has been witnessed in Chandigarh amid lockdown since March 23. Various crimes, including vehicle theft, snatching, burglary and kidnapping, have plunged in comparison to the corresponding period for the past two years.

Fewer people venturing out has resulted in a few burglaries, snatching and road accidents.

“A certain decline in crime rate has been registered this year. The outbreak of Covid-19 is the prime reason for this. However, the police did seize narcotic substances and liquor and several accused were arrested,” said UT SSP Nilambari Jagadale.

The UT police statistics of crime reported between March 23 and May 12 reveals that while 105 vehicles were stolen in 2018, 70 were stolen in 2019, but this year, only nine vehicles were stolen during the same period.

“The presence of police on the city roads and nakas has acted as a major deterrent behind lesser motor vehicle thefts,” the SSP added.

The city witnessed only six snatching incidents during this period while the numbers were 19 and 26 during 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Lockdown, as anticipated, has resulted in lesser burglaries. The police information reveals that while 22 incidents were reported in 2018 and 18 burglaries in 2019, only seven incidents have been reported this year.

The number of rape incidents has also come down as only two cases were registered during the lockdown, while 12 cases were reported in 2018 and 17 in 2019.

Similarly, kidnapping and abduction cases have also come down with only five cases reported this year — 22 were reported in 2018 and 26 in 2019.

During the lockdown, cops also nabbed 12 drug peddlers and recovered total 461.25-gram heroin. Meanwhile, 28 persons were arrested under the Excise Act for illegally possessing liquor, which led to the recovery of 2,938 bottles, 597 halves, 715 quarters and 169 beer boxes.

Box- Incidents between March 23 & May 12

Crime 2018 2019 2020

Vehicle theft 105 70 9

Snatching 19 26 6

Burglary 22 18 7

Rape 12 17 2

Kidnapping 22 26 5

Robbery 6 7 1

Murder 4 0 1

Attempt to murder 5 1 1

Box- A major dip in FIRs in road accidents has been witnessed between March 23 and May 12. While 39 FIRs were registered in 2018, the number was 37 in 2019 and only 4 FIRs have been registered this year.

Box – The calls regarding domestic violence has plunged by more than half during the lockdown. The police figures reveal that while 441 calls of domestic violence were received between January 1 and March 20, only 201 calls were received between March 21 and May 12.