Chennai: In the past few months, there is a huge increase in mobile phone lifting incidents across the city. Shockingly, many involved in the crime are first-time offenders.
Hence police have no clue but to depend on CCTV footage in the locality and it has come handy in solving several cases.
Says a policeman at Nanganallur, “They come on a motorcycle, approach their target on the road, seek directions for an address, commit the crime and speed away.”
Chasing them won’t be easy for they remodel their two-wheeler with strong engines that assure extra speed,” he adds.
Some vulnerable stretches have been identified where mobile phone lifting incidents are reported frequently. Besides enhancing surveillance in such areas, police are also distributing handbills to educate all, especially youngsters, he says.
In places like T Nagar, cops in plain clothes take up duty to apprehend these criminals, says Mohan, a policeman.
“With jostling crowd coming to do shopping here for Deepavali, we have stepped up vigil to ensure there are no thefts.”
“Cellphones are snatched easily by men in motorcycles these days. We have to be alert when we walk on the road,” he says.
Specially morning walkers in suburbs, elderly woman going to temples and those preoccupied with their mobile phones are easy target, he adds.
On a daily basis, at least five cases of mobile snatching are reported at various police stations in the city and several others go unreported, say police officials.
In most of the cases, the offenders are motorcycle-borne juveniles who target young women walking along deserted roads or strolling in posh localities during nights.
Much recently the city police recovered 500 mobile phones from criminals. They have asked people to come with their IMEI numbers and identify their phones and take them away.
“Rather than blaming mobile snatchers, we have to exercise caution. Don’t speak while you walk or text and walk,” say Fazil, a social activist.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE
Keep mobile phone inside your pocket.
Don’t be preoccupied with your mobile when walking, which will embolden the anti-socials to rob you.
Don’t walk on neglected or deserted stretches especially after dark.
Beware of men who try to divert your attention on the road.
If you feel you are being followed, call police control room immediately.
WHERE THE DEVICES GO?
Since all mobile phones come with IMEI numbers, it is difficult for snatchers to sell them in the market. They have nexus with some spare parts shops who buy these stolen phones at cheaper rates and use the spare parts. Also in few cases, these phones are taken to interior areas of northern States, where there are buyers.