Role-playing, motorcycle chases: How budding snatchers prepare for crime in Delhi

Delhi has reported at least 21 cases of snatching every day for the last five years, making it the most common crime in the Capital

It is a high-octane chase in broad daylight – the stuff of films. A biker whizzes past a busy, noisy Delhi market in a bid to escape the “cop” chasing him on a motorcycle. One day, he gets caught. Another, he escapes.

According to Delhi Police data , 5,018 FIRs on snatching have been filed in the city till September 30 this year. At least, 8,387 snatching cases were reported in 2022, and 9,383 cases in 2021. (HT PHOTO)

Either way, there’s no police action that awaits him at the end of the chase because there is no police; its just an elaborate rehearsal for when the young biker is ready for his first big “snatch”.

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