Daily Times

Sir: Street crime is a loose term for criminal offences taking place in public places. Nowadays street crimes are commonplace in Pakistan. Usually they occur in busy business areas and highways. Street crimes include pick pocketing, mobile snatching, wallet snatching, car and auto theft at gun point and target killing.

This is a problem which is getting out of hand in our country. It seems everyone you come across has their own account of getting their mobile phone, wallet or purse snatched. Despite this, it seems as if the police is least bit concerned. As a result, street crimes continue to grow as a menace for the citizens. Nobody’s life or property is safe.

There are numerous causes for this phenomenon. These include unemployment and poverty, lawlessness and double standards about implementation of laws. These are all issues facing our society today.

The authorities must take serious steps to control these street crimes. Obviously, law enforcement will need training in this regard and be more motivated to protect the citizens, but other steps also need to be taken. For example, sincere steps must be taken to end unemployment and reduce poverty. The authorities must do their part to protect law abiding Pakistanis from such crimes.

M.Azam Chughtai

Karachi

Published in Daily Times, July 14^th 2018.