By Zafar Abbas

New Delhi, 24 Jul (IANS): Snatching has remained a menace for Delhi residents since decades. It was assumed that during the lockdown the number of snatching cases may fall due to heightened security and less footfall on Delhi roads, however a glimpse at the number of cases reported during the period suggests otherwise.

Up till June 30 this year, a total number of 3,063 cases of snatchings have been reported in the national capital. During the same period last year a total of 3,320 cases of snatching were recorded. The difference is just 257 cases despite a long lockdown of several months.

So, can it be assumed that the lockdown and the heightened police presence on Delhi roads failed to deter snatchers in the city?

"Many criminals involved in the cases of snatching and robbery are those who have a previous record. Many who have been involved in multiple cases of snatching and robbery have been out on parole from the jails due to the ongoing pandemic. They are back to business. This might have amplified the cases of snatching and robbery in the capital," said a senior police officer.

Many criminals were given parole due to the ongoing pandemic in an attempt to decongest the jails.

Many eateries, factories and small businesses were shut during the lockdown period throwing many people out of work. A recent survey of CVoter has also shown that nearly 24 per cent of people were out of work during the lockdown. This hints that unemployment might also be a reason why street crime is on the rise despite the lockdown and the Unlock period after that.

"Though most of the snatchers and robbers arrested are historysheeters and some have as many as 25-30 cases registered against them but there are also instances where first-timers have also resorted to snatching and robbery," the officer said.

In a recent case of snatching in Malviya Nagar, the police arrested a Swiggy deliveryman who was unemployed due to the lockdown. The deliveryman had no previous criminal involvement. He along with one of his associates was involved in robbery of a woman in Panchsheel Vihar in Delhi on July 23. The assailants not just snatched her phone but also assaulted her.

"In one of the footages, two boys on a blue scooty were seen lurking near the place of the incident. The police team activated their secret informers to collect information about the accused persons involved in such cases. The investigation led to the identification of suspects as Farookh and Rinku, both residents of Hauz Rani. It was Rinku who worked as a deliveryboy in Swiggy and was unemployed due to the lockdown," said Atul Thakur, DCP South Delhi.

Last year, a total of 6,266 cases of snatching were reported while in 2018 a total of 6,932 cases were reported.