Mumbai police on alert outside schools to catch cell phone thieves

With cases of cellphone snatching of school students increasing in the western suburbs, the police have increased vigilance around the school premises and nearby areas.

The police said that students have become soft targets for the gangs indulging in cellphone snatching.

Officials said that in recent months, at least six to seven cases of students becoming victims of cellphone snatching have come to notice at every police station in the western suburbs. The area boasts of high profile schools including Utpal Sanghvi, CD Barfiwala, Children Welfare school, Podar school and others.

Officials, who are investigating such cases, suspect that the gang targetting the students could be from Malvani, Sakinaka or Gillbert hill area of Andheri.

The officials said that policemen in civil dresses have been posted in the area around the schools to keep tabs on the gang. Also, the schools are being told to alert the students and their parents about the dangers of bringing cell phones to school.

Police sources reveal that the gang members would move around the schools during their closing time. “Nowadays, a lot of students, mostly from the secondary sections, have cell phones and they flaunt and fiddle with it after school. The gang keeps an eye on such students and slips away with their cell phones at the first opportunity.”

Officials added that most of the time, the accused operate by diverting the attention of the students. They (the accused) indulge in fights on the street, attracting the children’s attention, who then gather at the spot. “It is at this moment that another accused, who is a part of the crowd watching the fight, flicks the cell phone and flees,” said another officer.

The police said that though some schools don’t allow cell phones within school premises, many students still manage to sneak in their cell phones by hiding them inside their bags.