Islamabad Police has introduced a Mobile Verification System to curb car theft as it has prepared a database where information of stolen vehicles is incorporated. The police personnel deployed at various nakas and patrolling places are able to check details of any vehicle, through an SMS, by entering its (displayed) registration number.
This has helped the police in nabbing vehicles with fake registration numbers, resultantly 124 stolen vehicles have been recovered using this technology.
The information issued by Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control on Sunday said the Capital police have also recovered 111 cars out of total 714 registered stolen cases from different public places and markets of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in last twelve months.
The comparative data of stolen cars since June 1 to December 31, 2012 and June 1 to December 31, 2013 revealed that 71 accused were also arrested in the cases during the period.
The information said from June 1 to December 31, 2012 the number of stolen cars was 274, 47 cars were recovered and 27 accused were arrested while from June 1 to December 31, 2013, 440 cars were stolen, 64 cars were recovered and 44 accused were nabbed.
The vehicle theft and vehicle snatching is a highly organised crime and involvement of general public is crucial in curbing the same. The general public has been requested to install safety alarm system and safety gadgets in their vehicles. Awareness campaign, through beat officers and member of the citizen Security & Vigilance Committee to invite the attention of general public for installation of alarm systems within their vehicles, has also been launched to sensitise the public.
Moreover, the authorities distributed pamphlets containing preventive measures/instructions amongst the general public while nakas at all important entry and exit points have been established and the officers have been directed to keep an eye over suspicious person/vehicles to prevent car theft. Patrolling has been enhanced and the officers have been directed to conduct surprise checking at various nakas as a preventive measure.
People have also been asked to park their vehicles inside houses and at parking places when they are out for duty or shopping purpose. They were also advised not to park their vehicles at abandoned places or in the streets particularly at night.
Furthermore, at peculiar places ie FGS Hospital, CDA Hospital, Chairman CDA Office etc, a chit system has been introduced within the parking areas to prevent car theft.
Police personnel have also been deployed in different sectors to keep watch over suspicious persons/vehicles and informers have also been deployed for the same purpose while all SHOs were further directed to take preventive action against all vagabonds, loitering in areas under Section 55/109 CrPC.
The list of previous convicts of car theft have been prepared and distributed amongst all quarters concerned to interrogate them during investigation of car theft cases.
ICT Police is active to apprehend the car lifters while establishing Decoy Plans at different venues of public gatherings frequently.