Crime on rise

Despite high security, the crime rate is on the rise in the city.

As per Noida Police records, 3-4 snatchings are being recorded from the city every day. In most cases, bike borne youngsters have been targeting women boldly snatching valuable from them in broad daylight.
Last week, back to back in a same day, four cases of chain snatching were registered from different sectors of Noida. The first incident took place around 12:40 pm around noon, when Amanprit, a resident of G-Block Sector 20 was returning home along with her son from the Corporation Bank. Two men on a black Karizma snatched a gold chain from her and zoomed away. The incident was then reported to Sector 20 police station.
 The other three incidents occurred in Sector 63, Sector 52 and Sector 27. These cases have raised a big question mark over the safety and security of the residents of Noida.
 Though Noida police claims that anti-chain snatching squads are formed from time-to-time to check the menace, these incidents tell a different story. Despite the 'leopard squads' patrolling the city on their motorbikes and keeping a sharp vigil, the police said it has been difficult to nab the culprits.
 According to the police officials, the modus operandi is the same in most cases - sometimes snatchers just ride up to the victim from behind them and snatch their chains, at other times, they stop and ask for directions and commit the crime and then flee the scene. Even, many professional chain snatchers also use special tools and customised motorcycles. Even educated youngsters have been found committing such crimes, lured by easy money.
 Snatchers are active in the evenings on the outskirts of all residential sectors. "Residents must guard their jewellery in sectors 18, 29, 30, 61, 63, Atta market, near IOC building in Sector 1, Senior Mall in Sector 24, Spice Mall in Sector 25A, GIP Mall in Sector 38A and all deserted roads adjoining villages," said DIG Jyoti Narayan. "One needs to be vigilant especially between 5 pm and 8 pm. The gangs of chain snatchers have made women easy targets. As the attack is sudden, victims are generally unable to identify the culprits or the registration number of the vehicle used in the crime," he added.
 He further added, "We brief our beat officials, who patrol in PCR vans and on motorbikes, almost every day and motivate them to respond faster to information received about chain snatching. We are also mapping crime and keeping tab on criminals from Ghaziabad and surrounding areas so that they are caught before they commit any crimes."

Take care
• Always avoid holding bag on your right side. Also use phone with the help of left hand instead of right hand while walking on the road. When you are alone, avoid carrying huge amount of cash and jewellery.
• Women are the soft targets and they should never open doors for any stranger.
• When you are going out of station, don't inform anyone about it and don't stop your paper or milk supply. Ask someone very close to you to pick the papers and milk. Also, the most important thing is that don't use outside lock." Try to install electronic equipments such as a magic eye, CCTV cameras, etc.