Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Rural police are trying every trick in the book to spread awareness among the residents of West Bengaluru on the increasing number of chain snatching incidents and robberies in these semi-urban areas.
Over the last few days, the police have increased the number of picket points under the rural Tavarekere police limits and are also making regular announcements through autorickshaws fitted with speakers. These autos, which are driven by the local residents and paid for by the police, start their rounds around 7 am and continue till 5 pm every day.
The announcers warn women against flaunting their gold jewellry and valuables, and against venturing out without company. The citizens are told to keep a watch on men on motorbikes approaching them on the pretext of asking for addresses as these men could be chain-snatchers on the prowl.
“It is a good initiative by the rural police to involve local residents in spreading awareness,” said Ms Usha Prabhakaran, a resident of SMV Layout in Ullal. “The police should spread the campaign to all other areas in the city which will not only help deter crimes, but also instill confidence among citizens,” she said.
A senior police officer from the Taverekere police station told Deccan Chronicle, “We are doing our best with the available resources to spread awareness among the public to curb chain snatching and robbery incidents. We are suffering from a staff shortage, and if this problem is addressed then we can bring down the number of crimes,” he said.
