Over 80% dip in theft cases at IITF: Police

NEW DELHI: More than two dozen theft cases have been reported in the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) in just over a week. However, police said there is a sharp dip in the numbers of theft compared to previous editions of the fair.

An annual event held at Pragati Maidan, IITF draws huge crowds every year which also ends up allowing thieves and pickpockets to steal articles — ranging from cash, wallets, handbags and mainly mobiles. This year, too, in the majority of cases victims have reported a theft of these articles. Thefts were reported at pavillions, queues and even inside the food court.

Last week HT had reported about a Pakistani businesswoman who found herself stranded without any cash or mobile phone after her bag was stolen. The bag contained ₹2.25 lakh cash.

According to additional DCP (New Delhi) Kumar Gyanesh, even though thefts have been reported at IITF, the number of such instances has dipped by close to 80%.He said that the overall number of thefts last year was 160, which was 83.75% more than the theft figures registered till Saturday i.e. 26.

“The number is even more diminished when set against the 2015 figures of 280 thefts. Also this year we have worked out many cases,” he said. On the factors that led to the dip, he credited was more CCTV cameras and better human vigilance.