Lahore: Crime statistics of first four months

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Arshad Dogar
NO less than 3,656 cases pertaining to crime against property were reported in six divisions of Lahore police during the first fourth months of current year in which robbers killed 26 citizens, injured 146 others and deprived them of cash, gold ornaments, cell phones, valuables, cars and motorcycles.

Data available with The News revealed that during the first four months of year 2009, the trend of street crime was violent and robbers and thieves had openly challenged the writ of Lahore police. Out of total reported incidents, robbers and thieves also took away 667 motorcycles and 402 cars.

Unprecedented street crime was reported in City police division, Saddar and Model Town divisions followed the City division. The crime ratio in Iqbal Town, Civil Lines and Cantt divisions remained slightly low as compared to the other three police divisions.

Official data of Lahore police shows that no less than 2,331 cases had also been traced against the 228 accused, including seven cases of dacoity-cum-murder, 38 of dacoity, 1,124 of robbery, 575 of burglary and 578 other cases.

On the other hand according to a handout issued from the office of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore on Monday, Lahore police have busted no less than 228 criminal gangs and arrested their 733 members while loot worth 278 million rupees has also been recovered during the first four months of the current year.

The handout stated that as many as 2,914 court absconders and proclaimed offenders had also been arrested during this period.

It was disclosed in a special meeting of senior police officers held under the chairmanship of Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Pervez Rathore on Monday. The meeting was informed that Lahore police recovered booty worth more than Rs 78 million including Rs 10 million in cash, two kg gold ornaments, 61 cars, 147 motorcycles, 878 cell phones, 18 pickups and rickshaws, two tractors and other items.

In their campaign against outlaws, the Lahore police claimed to have arrested 3,771 proclaimed offenders, out of which 199 were involved in murder cases, 117 in attempted murder, 83 in dacoity, 181 in robbery, 376 in burglary and 2,825 in other miscellaneous cases during the said period. During the drive against illegal weapons, 2,067 cases were registered and 2,070 accused were arrested following seizure of 11 Kalashnikovs, 97 rifles, 89 guns, 1,704 pistols and revolvers, 12 carbines, five mousers, six bombs, 32 daggers and more than 11 thousand bullets from their possession. The Lahore police also arrested 2,659 drug pushers and seized 34 kg heroin, 528 kg hashish, 40 kg opium and 7,648 bottles of liquor while the police also arrested 1,987 gamblers and seized more than 2.7 million stake money.

During the meeting, the CCPO directed the police officers to remain utmost vigilant against the anti-social elements and maintain their high level of preparedness in this regard.

The Capital City Police Officer also appealed to the general public to cooperate with the police to help eradicate crimes and inform police about any suspicious and criminal elements. Muhammad Pervez Rathore said that Lahore police could effectively curb the crime only with the close co-operation of the citizens.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=175932