As summer vacations come closer, burglary cases increase

It is that time of the year when burglary cases are at an all time high in the city. Come summer vacations and thieves are all set to strike homes and vehicles. With scores of family leaving the city on holidays, maximum cases of house-breakins and thefts (HBT) and motor vehicle thefts are reported between February and April, said the cops.

While 249 cases of HBTs were reported in March, the figure was 233 in February. The number of motor vehicle cases on the other hand stands at 247 and 253 for March and February respectively.

Cases remain unreported for long

Dhananjay Kamlakar, joint commissioner of police (law and order) said, "Thieves strike during vacations as it is an ideal time for them to get away with the loot and go underground by the time the occupants of the house return."

Besides, this is also the time when a lot of cops go on leave and the burglars use it to their advantage, said senior officers.

Thieves prepare well before striking

"These gangs do a recce of a particular area and have a fair idea of homes that are locked for days together and vehicles that are unattended and parked in the same area for days together. In some cases, even the security guards or domestic helps act as their informers as they get a share of the loot," said a senior officer.

Police records shows that maximum HBTs and motor vehicle thefts happen in the western suburbs of Bandra, Juhu and Andheri, Borivali and Malad.

Special squads to monitor crime

This year too, the police have set up special squads to monitor incidents of HBTs and motor vehicle thefts. "We have regular meeting with the societies. It is mandatory that every building has guard and CCTVs. There is an initiative called one society, once cop whereby a cop is designated for a society who visits the building regularly and interacts with the public there. Our night vigilance have also strengthened," said deputy commissioner of police Dhananjay Kulkarni, who is also the spokesperson of Mumbai police.

Detection rates low

Detection rates of HBTs and vehicle thefts have remained low, as the by the time case is registered with the police, most of the culprits leave the city and run back to their home towns in Bihar or UP. When the police busts a gang of house breakers, several cases get detected in one go, said the police.