Delhi reported the maximum number of auto thefts in 2016 with more than four vehicles stolen on an average everyday here, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
In Delhi, more than 100 vehicles are reported stolen everyday at an average. In five years, the number of stolen vehicles has seen a threefold rise while the recovery rate has remained hopelessly low.
Between 2014 and 2015, there was a 40.09 per cent jump — from 23,411 to 32,797. During 2015-16, there was a further increase of 17.83 per cent — from 32,797 to 38,644. Vehicle thefts have again seen an increase of 5.92 per cent between 2016 (till November 30) and 2017 (till November 30). But the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 (till November 30) saw a recovery rate of mere 10.35 per cent, 5.47 per cent, 11.57 per cent and 10.65 per cent, respectively.
In fact, Delhi reported the maximum number of auto thefts in 2016 with more than four vehicles stolen on an average everyday here, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The recovery rate of four-wheelers is 5-7 per cent. For two-wheelers, it’s 11-12 per cent. This is because parts of cars, buses and trucks can be disposed of easily. Once a car is stolen, the gang disables location devices, changes the registration plate and removes accessories. “At times, even the vehicle identification number (VIN), a unique code, including a serial number, is changed or removed. Most new luxury vehicles have features, which are electronically controlled, making it easier for auto lifters,” said an official.
Selling or disposing parts of a two-wheeler is tough as there aren’t many takers. Buyers often fear the vehicle may have been used in a crime before. Street crimes, including snatching of mobile phones or chains, are mostly done on two-wheelers. Gangs often send two-wheelers to locations in the hills. They are then revamped and given a new look.
The Delhi Police busts gangs of auto lifters almost every day. However, two of them, caught in South Delhi last year, stand out. They used advanced technology — they made sure when they are caught while stealing a car, all mobile networks in the vicinity got jammed. Romil Baaniya, DCP South Delhi, told DNA, “They purchased a small mobile phone jammer online which blocked all incoming and outgoing signals of all mobile operators within a radius of 10-15 metres.” This ensured that, during the time of committing the crime, if anyone sees them or catches them, it is not possible to contact the police or seek help. “Gangs also understand that police can come in the guise of customers. So they use jammers to ensure their escape,” said a police officer. The police is tracking websites which sell such jammers and other advanced devices used by auto thieves.
Another gang busted last year entered cars by hacking into their online dashboard systems which makes it easier to disable the car’s central locking security system. Once that occurs, crooks just have to put on the ignition and escape with the car. That’s why sedans and SUVs are easy to take away.
Non-availability of parking spaces in residential areas, indifference of owners, reluctance to spend on safety devices, as well as lacunae like re-registration of vehicles in some states and manual maintenance of records there are cited by the police as reasons behind the rise in the number of vehicle thefts.
Rising Cases
- Number of auto thefts in 2012 was 14,391 that rose to 38,644 in 2016
- Until November 2017, 37,178 vehicles were reported missing
- Only 12,665 recoveries (9.59 per cent) could be made
- Almost 1,19,375 vehicles are yet to be found
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "two-wheelers")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}