Daily Times

LAHORE: House and shop robberies are on the rise in the city, Daily Times learnt.It was reported that around three months back 6 to 7 robberies were reported daily which has now rose to 12 to 15 cases daily.

Sources in Police Department said that police force including PRU, Dolphin Force, Mujahid Squad and Muhafiz Force have increased patrolling. They said street crime has been reduced due to the patrolling.

They added the robbers and thieves have changed their strategy and now they started robbing houses and shops. They said Dolphin Force and other law enforcers stick to major roads.

On the average 30-40 cases of street crime and 12 to 15 cases of robbery are being reported in the city police stations. However, most of robbed citizens do not bother to register cases with the police.

Four robbers broke into the house of Javed Islam in Defence C police precincts. They held the family hostage at gunpoint and robbed cash and other valuables worth Rs 0.3 million. Similarly, four robbers barged into the house of Haroon in Sabzazar B-Block and looted cash and valuable worth Rs 0.6 million. Also, four robbers broke into the house of Sajjad at Angoori Bagh Baghbanpura and deprived the family of cash and valuables worth Rs 0.4 million.

Saeed, a resident of GOR-4 Model Town, told Daily Times that burglars broke into his house when the family was away and stole cash, gold ornaments and other valuables worth Rs 0.3 million.

The Muhafiz Force, Mujahid Force, Quick Response Force and Tiger Squad have failed to protect the citizens.

Police sources said that criminals collaborate with each other and target the posh and urban localities of Lahore daily. Spokespersons for the capital city police officer and the Operations Wing DIG said elimination of crime from the city is the priority of police while a comprehensive strategy is being chalked out for eradication of street crime. They added that Lahore police had been directed to take action on receiving any information from citizens.