As Noida unlocks, crime graph shows steady rise

NOIDA: With fewer people venturing out, street crimes recorded a sharp slump during the Covid lockdown. But criminal activity seems to be gradually witnessing a rise in Gautam Budh Nagar.
From as many as 365 calls related to loot and snatching in February, the number went down to 248 in March and fell to as low as 57 in April, at the peak of lockdown. However, the number has again started going up from May, which saw as many as 130 cases of snatching and loot, and it reached 168 in June, according to data from Dial 100 service of police.
With most of the 3,000-strong force busy on Covid duty during lockdown, the rise in street crimes now has prompted the police top brass to direct officials at every police station to carry out crime-checking drives outside banks, petrol pumps, jewellery showrooms and financial institutions.A weekly time table for such drives has also been prepared for officers at each police station, officials said.
Recently, Phase II police arrested four people planning to loot a Dhanlaxmi Bank ATM in the area. Many of the loot and snatching cases have been reported from sectors 20, 24, 58, Phase III, Phase II and Beta II police station areas. However, a few arrests have been made in different cases.
TOI has learnt that the additional commissioner of police (law and order) has asked the three DCPs to ensure checking drives across the city.
When contacted, ACP (law and order) Akhilesh Singh said, “It has been observed that many repeat offenders have become active again post-lockdown easing. A few accused persons who are out on parole have also been involved in seven-eight cases. At least, some staff has to be reserved for checking drives.”