Vijayawada: The recent incidents of chain-snatching reported in the city are creating a concern among the residents. Even before people could forget four chain-snatching incidents in Patamata police station limits and two other incidents in Gannavaram ten days ago, snatchers have again made their presence felt in the city with a fresh offence in Electricity Colony near Jawahar Autonagar in the city on Sunday night.
According to Patamata police, the incident happened around 8.10 pm on Sunday during which Kamalakumari, 54, who was walking on the road was chased by two men on a motorbike and then they snatched her gold chain weighing 56 gram.
As a result, she fell down and shouted for help but with no one was around at that time, the chain-snatchers fled the spot. She lodged a complaint with the Patamata police police.
“The increasing chain-snatching incidents show the laxity of the police officials in checking the culprits. The police have installed CCTV cameras and also setting up control rooms to control crime. But women are not able to walk on roads without the fear of being robbed. Deserted roads have become target for these offenders and police should take necessary measures to check them,” said P. Bhanumathi, a private doctor from Currency Nagar.
"The city police who successfully solved many big cases in the last few months are not able to check these offenders. Chain-snatchers are targeting women in sub-urban areas and colonies where CCTV cameras have not been installed yet. Police should take necessary action to prevent such offences," said B. Hari Priya, a B.Tech student. However, city police say they have increased security in isolated areas where women were being targeted.
" We have kept special focus on chain snatchers who have become rampant in recent time. We are using advanced technology in finding the snatchers and hope we can catch them soon. Security in colonies is increased and more number of advanced surveillance cameras will be installed soon," says Deputy Commissioner of Police L&O -1 Dr. Gajarao Bhupal.
