RAWALPINDI: The year 2017 saw an increase in murder, attempted murder, abduction of women, sexual assault and vehicle theft cases in the district of Rawalpindi.

Police statistics showed that 235 people lost their lives and another 354 were subjected to murderous attempts compared to 225 murder and 318 attempted murder cases in 2016. In addition, 12 people were killed during robberies compared to 14 such cases in 2016.

Meanwhile, 18,032 other cases were also registered. The citizens lost their property worth millions of rupees in armed robberies, burglaries and thefts.

Around 600 cars and 589 motorcycles were stolen compared to 551 cars and 497 motorcycles taken away in 2016. Moreover, 68 motorcycles and 13 other vehicles were snatched at gunpoint compared to 55 motorcycles and 10 other vehicles snatched in 2016.

In addition, 127 other vehicles were stolen across the district. The year also saw an increase in the theft of cattle as 77 cases were reported to the police against 63 in 2016.

235 people were killed and 443 women abducted during the year

As many as 131 people were kidnapped in addition to the abduction of 443 women and 62 rape cases compared to 401 abduction and 54 rape cases in 2016.

Besides, 666 robberies, including one bank heist, 450 burglaries and 497 theft cases were reported to the police compared to 473 robberies, 437 burglaries and 493 theft cases during 2016.

When contacted, City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi expressed satisfaction on the police performance.

“The crime situation remained almost the same as last year. Anyhow, there was a downward trend in kidnapping for ransom and bank robberies.”

Crime rate down in Islamabad

During the year, the Islamabad police arrested 4,450 criminals and recovered valuables worth over Rs400 million from them. A total 234 gangs were busted, 289 stolen vehicles and 122 motorbikes recovered while 851 proclaimed offenders were held.

In a statement, the police claimed that despite several constraints, they remained successful against criminal elements during year and that a decline was witnessed in the crime rate.

The citizens were not only protected from any terrorist activity but also effective security arrangements were introduced for their safety.

Senior Superintendent of Police (operations) Sajid Kiani said the police arrested 4,450 criminals and recovered valuables worth more than Rs400 millions from them. He said 620 members of 234 gangs were also apprehended. The safe city project has been very helpful in checking crime and 608 cases were traced through this facility during the year.

The SSP said 89 murders were reported in 2017 compared to 95 in 2016 while the number of robbery incidents in 2017 was 14 against 17 in 2016. A total of 272 cases of street crime and snatching valuables were reported in 2017 compared to 280 in 2016; 73 burglary cases in 2017 against 92 such cases in 2016 and 315 theft cases compared to 354 in 2016.

He said a significant reduction of 46pc was witnessed in car lifting incidents as 148 vehicles were lifted in 2017 compared to 249 in 2016. Police busted 73 gangs involved in robberies while 116 gangs of burglars and 45 gangs of bike and car lifters were also busted during the year.

Police also traced 15 cases of blind murder while 23 accused involved in these cases were also arrested. Search operations were conducted in various areas of Islamabad along with other law enforcement agencies and 2033 suspects were taken into custody for further investigations. Of them, 1,336 were allowed to go after verification while challans of remaining 697 people were submitted to courts.

The SSP claimed that reporting rooms of the police stations had been upgraded on the directions of IGP Sultan Azam Temuri. Trained as well as educated officials have been appointed in the police stations.

Likewise, he said, police pickets had been upgraded while security at the entry and exit points of the city also enhanced.

He said human rights officers had been appointed in the police stations to ensure protection of rights of all segments of society.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2018