Speak up Delhi: Lack of police presence has led to rise in chain snatching

Delhi, this week alone witnessed two cases of snatching in which a snatcher tore off a woman’s ear lobes while pulling out her gold earrings in west Delhi. Residents in the area feel lack of proper policing has resulted in the rise in such petty crimes. 

“More police should be deployed in the area. The snatchers are turning inhuman and even tearing off the ear of the residents. We have written many letters to the higher authorities but police has taken no action to guard the place,” said Savita Verma, a resident of Uttam Nagar. 

Statistics say that till November 30, last year, 7,870 snatching cases were reported, 24 a day on average. Apart from these, 1,02,954 thefts were also registered, which has a daily average of 308, more than 10 thefts an hour. 
Put together, 13 incidents of snatching and thefts take place in the Capital every hour.

In the recent two incidents, Kamla Bharti, 54, needed three stitches in her right ear after a man pulled hard to snatch her earrings on Thursday. Her left ear too bled but she did not suffer a grievous injury as the earring came off easily, she said. Similarly, on Tuesday, Vandana Sharma, 47, had to undergo plastic surgery on both her ears after a snatcher targeted her near the Uttam Nagar (East) metro station on the busy Najafgarh Road.

Both women said people just looked on, neither chasing the snatcher nor helping them after the attack. 

Last August, a woman died after motorcycle-borne snatchers pulled her off a running auto-rickshaw in south Delhi’s Hauz Khas in an attempt to steal her handbag. In the same month, a Delhi University student needed 38 stitches when a snatcher attacked her with a sharp object in north Delhi’s Timarpur.

VOICES

This case has once again highlighted the persisting problem of snatching in the Capital. Every second day we hear cases of snatching in our locality and the police has still not able to catch hold of the accused. The snatchers are roaming free without any fear. One must have stringent rules in the area so that these snatchers are taught a lesson. Apart from proper policing, we should have awareness programmes so as to educate the general public about the increasing crime. If all these steps are taken, it might help in getting rid of these crimes. 
—Ishita Gupta, Uttam Nagar

We are staying in one of the most busiest residential areas that also houses commercial complex. As there are many shops located in the area, the number of visitors is also high which gives a chance to these snatchers take advantage. While there are police officials deputed at various corners of the market but it is hard to meet the speed of these snatchers. These snatchers are well aware of the hidden lanes in the areas through which they get their way out. 
—Jatin Arora, a resident of south Delhi

During my visits to famous market places like, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar, one thing that seemed common in all was the encroached market lanes. And these lanes are home to the snatchers. I was walking with my friend when one man while passing by snatched her bag and ran away. The market was so congested that we were left with no space to run and nab the culprit. When we visited the police station, the officer said that such cases are very common. hough they claimed to have CCTV cameras installed in the market but that also doesn’t serve the purpose. Sivaranjini R, Kamla Market Many of the stretches in our area don’t have streetlight and most of the snatching cases are reported from stretches that are poorly lit. The snatchers are always keeping an eye on the commuters and as and when they get a chance they rob and run from the road. If the authorities can light up these dark roads, it will help in creating a safe environment for the residents. 
—Harshit Chawla, Kaushambi 

If the police hold awareness programmes for residents it will definitely help in making our city crime free.  Residents will be more than eager to help police as the coordination with the police officials is quite important. Even if there will be any other help, we will also ask other residents to participate in such drives. We are planning to start some sessions on self-defence for all the women residents in Noida. In the process, we will also coordinate with other organisations who are already working on the cause. The awareness is extremely important and women should definitely learn to protect themselves in an emergency. 
—Yash Chhabra, Noida

While I was walking towards my apartment, suddenly two bike-borne assailants snatched my phone and ran away. There was a PCR van standing, but they were not at all attentive to get hold of the thieves. There is no proper security in our sector. I have stopped wearing expensive watches when I step out of my society. Even, I have to be very careful with my mobile phone. I have made it a habit to keep it in my bag rather than carrying it in my hand. 
—Priyanshu Agarwal, Noida