Car theft incidents show 24 percent increase in 2011

The city has witnessed 24 percent growth in the incidents of car-snatching as 1520 such cases were reported in 2011 as compared to 1224 cases registered in last corresponding year.
According to CPLC statistics, around 1520 vehicles were snatched at gunpoint in various parts of the metropolis during 2011 of which some 517 vehicles have been recovered.
The ratio of incidents of car-theft was declined as 2913 cars were stolen in 2011 as against last year figure of 3144, depicting 8 percent decline in ongoing year. Meanwhile, the recovery of stolen vehicles has shown 3 percent growth as 1605 vehicles were recovered while the figure of last year stood at 1551 vehicles.
The statistics further stated the total figure of snatched or stolen in 2011 was around 4333 vehicles, of which, only 2153 cars were recovered with the assistance of concerned authorities. The vehicles made under the umbrella of Suzuki have become first choice for the snatchers in 2011 while Toyota and Honda come at second and third positions, respectively.
Moreover, it said that most of car-snatching cases were registered on Sunday as some 61 vehicles were stolen or snatched on holiday while the said figure remained below 55 in other weekdays.
Gulshan Iqbal town appeared to be the most lucrative area for the wrongdoers as 1262 vehicles were snatched in the said area while 542 cases were registered in North Nazimabad, 531 cases were reported in Jamsheed Town, 447 cases in Clifton and 387 cases in Shah Faisal area. In the same way, around 16968 bikes went missing in 2011, witnessing 11 percent growth in such incidents as compared to last year figure of 15195. It said that out of total 16968 incidents of bike-snatching, only 2454 bikes have so far been recovered in ongoing year.
The highest cases of bike snatching was reported in October as the Karachiites have lost 1902 bike only in the said month as against 1426 cases registered in last year.
Similarly, Gulshan Iqbal town has again grabbed the top position in bike-snatching incidents where 2327 persons were deprived of their two-wheelers while the inhabitants of Saddar and Jamsheed towns were second and third sufferers, respectively during ongoing year. Meanwhile, some 106 cases of kidnapping were reported at different parts of the city during 2011, of which, 96 cases were solved while some 18 gangs were busted.