. .



The crime rate is lessened in year 2000

By Ziaul Haque Memon
Faculty Member — SZABIST-Karachi
Aug 07 - 13, 2000

Snatching and theft of vehicles in all over the country especially in Karachi is a common feature. Newspapers are reporting such news daily in City pages.

Daily 14 vehicles (4 wheelers) and 16 motor-cycles, on average, are stolen or snatched at gun point from different parts of Karachi since 1995 till date, this has been discovered by a study conducted at SZABIST. These facts might be useful for people as well as Law Enforcement Agencies. We appreciate CPLC and its role those keep all the time, an eye on this branch of crime along with others.

Daily Theft/Snatched 4W & 2W: 1995-2000
.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

4 Wheeler

13.5

10.1

15.6

18.67

10.1

8.67

2 Wheeler

12.7

12.1

19.8

20.8

11.28

12.3

Recovered 4W

6.4

4.5

8.22

8.04

5.57

5.33

Recovered 2W

1

1.99

4.8

5.52

3.35

1.96

Source: CPLC

On average every year 4,807 four-wheelers and 5498 motor-cycles are being snatched and theft. Out of 4807 vehicles only 2352 have been recovered which comprise 48.9%; on the other hand, out of 5498 motor-cycles only 1237 could be recovered which is only 22.5%.

During 1995, total 4934 vehicles and 4642 motor-cycles were stolen. Out of 4934 vehicles, 1908 were theft and 3026 snatched. Total recovery during the year was 2357 four-wheelers and 371 two-wheelers, which is 47.7% and 7.99% respectively.

During 1996, total 4 wheelers' theft figure was 1846 and 1868 were snatched aggregated 3714 vehicles. Out of 1846 theft, only 747 recovered which is 40.4%; whereas, 898 were recovered from 1868 snatched making recovery ratio of 48% Total recovery ratio for both categories were remains at 44.29%. Out of 4418 snatched/theft motor-cycles only 729 could be recovered which are only 16.5%.

4&2 Wheelers Snatched/Theft Vs. Recovered: 1995-2000
.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

(Projected)

4 wheeler

4934

3714

5730

6811

3688

3124

2 wheeler

4642

4418

7241

7604

4117

4436

recovered 4W

2357

1645

3002

2935

2034

1922

recovered 2W

371

729

1746

2016

1223

1438

Source: CPLC

During 1997, total 4 wheelers snatched/theft were 5730 out of which 2425 were snatched and 3305 were theft. The recovery ratio for theft was 48.3% and 57.8% for snatched vehicles. Total recovery ratio in both snatched/theft categories was 52.39%. Total motor-cycles snatched/theft figure for 97 was 7241 out of which only 1746 were recovered which made recovery ratio at 24.11%.

During 1998, 3339 four-wheelers were snatched and 3472 were stolen which accumulated the figure to 6811. The recovery ratio of snatched vehicles was 44.5% and 41.7% for theft ones made aggregate recovery ratio at 43.09% During the same year 7604 motor-cycles were stolen and only 2016 (26.5%) could be recovered.

During 1999, 1578 vehicles snatched and 2110 theft which totalled 3688. Out of snatched only 944 (59.8%) and 1090 (51.6%) from theft vehicles could be recovered. The overall recovery rate during 99 was 55.15%, which is best since 1995. 4117 motor-cycles were snatched away out of which only 1223 (29.71%) could reach back in custody of owners.

During the first half of 2000, total 750 vehicles have been snatched and 812 theft out of which only 421 (56.13%) recovered from snatched, and only 540 (66.5%) from theft could be handed over to their owners. The overall recovery ratio of 61.52% is the best since 1995.

For comparison purpose we analyzed the data for first six months Jan - Jun from 1995 to 2000 and noticed that there was tremendous increase in 4 wheelers theft/snatching in 1998 which is remarkably down in year 2000. While looking at motor-cycles data, 1997 and 1998 were worst years for bike riders also, the most bikes were stolen during 1998 and there is no difference in rest of the years.

4&2 Wheel Snatched/Theft Vs. Recovered during Jan-Jun 1995-2000
.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

4W—Snatched/Theft

2399

2080

2720

3476

1985

1562

4W—recovered

1110

743

1404

1481

1066

961

2W—Snatched/Theft

2048

2182

559

4227

2102

2218

2W—recovered

174

339

818

973

647

719

Source: CPLC

While having a look at recovery ratio it is observed that though the recovery ratio is improving as compared to previous years but it still lacking far behind and need further improvement, especially 2 wheelers (motor-cycles).

4&2 Wheelers Recovery Rate in % Jan-Jun 1995-2000
.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

4W—rcvd. %

46.3

35.7

51.6

42.6

53.7

61.5

2W—rcvd. %

8.5

15.5

 23 23 30.8 32.4

Source: CPLC

By analyzing the figures of June 2000 only, it is being noticed that out of 287 four-wheelers and 306 two-wheelers snatched/theft in Karachi only 68 and 54 FIRs had been lodged respectively, which shows low level of trust/coordination between people and Police. As per data of June 2000, only 5 four-wheelers and 8 two-wheelers have been recovered from FIR lodged cases. While asking the reasons for not lodging FIR by people Mr. Zabir Hussain, Controller of CPLC replied there are multiple reasons, least interest shown by people, avoidance to lodge FIR by Police and quick recovery of the vehicle are some of them.

Research also showed that District East's Ferozabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Bahadurabad, Tipu Sultan, PIB Colony; District South's Clifton, Boat Basin, Gizri and District Central's Azizabad, Nazimabad, Taimuriya, Buffer Zone and F.B. Area are most affected areas/spots ideal for car lifters.

The most wanted make of 4-wheelers is Suzuki (Alto/Mehran & Khyber), Toyota (Corolla), Yellow Cabs and Honda respectively. Most wanted color is White and 1999 model is among the top while seconded by 2000 models. Honda CD-70 is one of the most snatched/theft 2-wheeler while Honda 125 and Yamaha 100 are at number 2nd and 3rd respectively

The peak hours for snatching for 4-wheelers are 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm and 10:00 pm to 12:00 am for theft as per data of June 2000. The favourite time for 2-wheeler burglars is 10:00 pm to 11.00 pm and for snatchers 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The above analyses showed that on average, the crime rate is lessened in year 2000, as four-wheeler lifting is reduced by 21% and recovery rate is improved by 7.8% as compared to 1999; but on the other hand, two-wheelers lifting is increased by 5.5% and recovery rate is increased by only 1.6% as compared to 1999. Since 1999 Police is gradually improving recovery ratio with the help of CPLC. It is also observed improvement in government's hot line 15, which disseminates the crime report all over the city

Police is checking documents, engine and chassis numbers at Super-Highway by using computerized system connected with CPLC, which has data bank obtained from Excise & Taxation Department. Last week, when I was travelling to Hyderabad, I was asked to show the registration book and after checking its contents the same was returned to me, I asked Police Officer, how can you let me go? Do you know who am I? May be I am not the same person who is the owner of this car, but he was least bothered and asked me to leave space for others!