Gurugram: Even as it grappled with various heinous crimes throughout 2017, it was a simple misdemeanour that proved to be the biggest challenge for Gurugram policeP
With over 500 cases of snatching registered this year, on an average, there were more than two incidents that occurred daily in the city.
Moreover, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the cases of snatch as compared to 324 in 2016.
However, what can be a major respite for law and enforcement officials compared to previous years there has been a drop in cases relating to chain snatchings.
There seems to be no fear of law among the snatchers in Gurugram.
This is despite the fact that Haryana has a strong law against this crime to an extent of making it a non-bailable offence.
Shockingly, most of the incidents are happening not only in the desolate places but also in crowded places and that too during the rush hour.
One of the biggest impediments is the lack of filing the FIR in most of the cases to pursue the case further.
There also problems of identifying the victims who normally target their victims in groups. Recently a person who was accused in stealing the phone from the women was let-off by the court due to lack of evidence.
What seems to be a worrying factor in these cases is that most of the criminals who start of criminal activities of snatching are not deterred even when they are held by the Police.
"Most of culprits continue to indulge in these activities and progress towards becoming more sinister criminals who then commit burglaries, kidnappings and murder. Snatching is a stepping stone for them to enter into big crime," said a senior official of Gurugram police.