In the past few weeks, Lahore has seen a sharp rise in incidents of crime, especially street crime. Dacoity, daylight robbery and murder have been routinely reported, which exposes the poor performance of the operations wing of the Lahore police. The Police Department is in dire need of reforms.

The criminals seem to strike at will, despite the presence of scores of cops at the many police pickets set up in every nook and corner of the city. According to a report detailing the annual crime incidence in Lahore, 120,000 cases were reported in 2020, and 225,000 cases in 2021. In the first four months of 2022, over 80,000 cases have already been reported. This indicates a sharp rise in crime rate.

In different cases, scores of citizens have been deprived of millions of rupees in cash, gold jewellery, vehicles and motorcycles. As per police records, the month of March began with about 350 incidents in which mobile phones or cash and other personal belongings were snatched in the provincial capital. The number increased in the months of April and May.

As for the number of heinous crimes, the statistics show that in the month of January alone, the crime rate in the city had gone up, and almost 200 incidents of street crime (which includes robberies) were reported. Moreover, as many as 26 people, including a journalist, were shot dead. The deceased journalist, Husnain Shah, was murdered in cold blood, near Lahore Press Club on Davis Road while he was on his way home from office.

In another incident, a traffic warden was killed on Ferozepur Road by unidentified men in a car. Another traffic warden, Kashif, was killed in Manawan.

A report detailing the annual crime incidence in Lahore says that 120,000 cases were reported in 2020, and 225,000 cases in 2021. In the year so far, over 80,000 cases have already been reported.

Speaking to TNS, a former DIG in charge of investigations says that frequent and premature transfers and postings in the top ranks of the Lahore police, particularly the reshuffle of the head of the operations wing, are some of the factors that have contributed to the rise in crime rate.

However, he is quick to praise the police for “doing their level best to perform their duties despite meagre resources.

“Lack of resources and manpower must be taken into consideration,” he adds, “as this is true of every police station in and around the city.”

A senior police officer requesting anonymity says the new hierarchy of the Lahore police has thoroughly examined the causes behind the high crime rate, and they have come to the conclusion that reforms are needed in the investigation wing to bring the crime rate down.

To this effect, the department is working on their financial and human resource matters. There is an increased willingness to provide transport to the investigation wing to apprehend the criminals and prevent crime.

He claims that the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) has set up more centres in various parts of the city. “High-ranking officers at police stations have made requests for the creation of a location-finder catalogue, an interface for evidence deposit room, an evidence storage room, evidence management system, and Move-in and Move-out Printable Indents. These are the very basic items a police station cannot not have.”

The writer is a senior journalist and can be reached at ahsanzia155@gmail.com