KATHMANDU, Oct 4: If you think most crimes occur during the quiet of the night, then think again. The latest police statistics reveal a reversing trend of crime patterns in the run up to festive season with more of them occurring in broad day light in Kathmandu Valley.
There has been a spike in pick-pocketing, theft and burglary of homes during day, which according to police mostly occurred during evenings or nights until a year ago.
For Ratna Acharya of Lalitpur police claims that overall crime rate had dropped in the Valley was of no consolation. She found out firsthand the new trend of criminals hitting empty apartments and houses during the day when their occupants were either out shopping or at office.
One evening when Acharya returned home, she was shocked to find her home burglarized. She immediately informed Lalitpur Metropolitan police about her missing two sets of necklace, rings, ear studs and some bronze ornaments and within 24-hours alleged looters Dinesh Thapa and Santosh Rana Magar were in police custody.
Worried about future incidents, Acharya has now asked the police to guard her house during day times when there are no occupants.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Basant Pant said crimes rate were low in the Valley compared to earlier years during festive season. However days time has become safer for criminals than night time.
The new revelation came days after the metropolitan police in Kathmandu district announced a 45-day special security drive aimed at curbing crimes during the upcoming festive season. Almost 5,600 police are deployed in the valley from mid night to early morning.
Long Range Patrolling, CRV van Patrolling, seal and search operation, Cordon and Search have been effective in curbing crimes during night time, said the Senior Superintendent of Police(SSP) Jaya Bahadur Chand, Chief of Metropolitan Police Range said. He claimed that crimes during night were almost at zero and the operation had been effective.
But that claim is of little joy for Madan Pattel. A fruit seller by profession, he was inconsolable after pick pockets fished out nearly 30,000 from his pocket in an overcrowded micro bus.
He immediately called the police and Anil Tamang and Kumar Thakuri were detained.
According to DSP Dhiraj Pratap Singh, spokesperson of Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu, people who travel on public transport in crowded areas like Kalanki, Balkhu, Sinamangal, Balaju, Chabahil and Ratna Park areas must be more conscious about the property and belonging they have, the police said.
Police is also trying to assure people going homes outside the valley during Dashain not to be worried.
“People who leave Kathmandu to go their towns or villages during Dashain, are worried about their property.” SSP Chand said. “But this time people won´t have the opportunity to complain about stolen items when they return because will make sure their homes are secured.”
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