LAHORE: A significant surge in violent crimes on the streets of the provincial capital has been witnessed in the past one-and-a-half months, as over 44 people have been killed, it was learnt.
According to figures, 44 murders were reported in Lahore from October 1 till November 22(50 days), while 423 cases of street crimes were reported with the police. Over 650 motorcycles were either snatched or stolen in the same period.
It is worth noting that Lahore, with a population of over 15 million, has a police force of mere 24,000, which was not sufficient at all. Karachi, which has always been in the news due to its street crime, has seen a decline in the murder incidents as compared to Lahore. In one month, 23 people were murdered in Karachi while 23 bank robberies were reported. 99 cars were stolen and over 1,000 mobile phones were snatched or stolen.
Meanwhile, in the same period in Rawalpindi, 18 people were murdered, 29 robbery incidents were reported and 20 street crimes were bought to the notice of police. Some 33 cars were also snatched or stolen in the same period.
The Lahore Police claim that ‘habitual offenders’ who are behind a significant surge in ‘violent crimes’ in the provincial capital, have a history of being involved in house and bank robberies, kidnappings for ransom, etc.
A police officer said that 60percent of these criminals belonged to the adjoining cities/districts such as Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Kasur and Nankana Sahib. “They visit Lahore to commit crime and return to their home districts to mislead the Lahore Police about their locations,” said the officer.
