Hold on tight, Delhiites! Your mobile phones, cars are at risk

Know what are the two most stolen items in Delhi? mobile phones and vehicles.

Know what are the two most stolen items in Delhi? Cellphones and vehicles.

Topping the list of most stolen items in Delhi this year are cell phones. In one day, the Delhi police register theft cases of at least 120 cell phones from across the city.

Topping the list of most stolen items in Delhi this year are cellphones. In one day, the Delhi police register at least 120 mobile phone theft cases across the city.

In 2016, a total of over 20,200 cell phones have already been reported stolen. Police believe the numbers could be higher because many do not inform the police.

You could guard cellphones close to your chest but what about the second item on the list, which is more than a hundred times bigger than a phone?

With an average of around 87 thefts per day, vehicles are the second most common stolen item on the list.

The thefts include cars, motorcycles, two-wheeler scooters. Vehicle thieves to not even leave the battery-operated e-rickshaws. In the first half of 2016(till June 31), at least 15,900 vehicles were stolen.

On an average, 87 vehicles were stolen every day. Police said most vehicles stolen were two wheelers. Around 1,500-2,000 stolen vehicles are recovered every year, police said.

BEWARE OF CELLPHONE THIEVES IN DELHI METRO

There are 156 police stations in Delhi but the most cell phone thefts were reported at the Delhi metro police stations. A total of 4,800 FIRs related to thefts were filed at metro stations till 2016, out of which police said around 3,600 were about cell phones.

A senior officer said that cell phones, wallet and jewellery were the three most common items stolen inside the metro. This year, police arrested around 168 pickpockets from inside the metro. At least 40 of them were women.

“Women don’t normally steal cell phones. All those we arrested this year worked in groups. They are more into stealing wallets and jewellery,” said a police officer.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS TREND SHOWS THEFTS INCREASING EVERY YEAR

According to Delhi police statistics, motor vehicle thefts show an increasing trend each year. Last year, 31,114 vehicles were stolen between January 1 - December 15, as compared to 22,219 during the same period in 2014. Police say the stolen vehicles are not resold in Delhi.

They are taken to other states, even places as far as those in the North East states of the country. Last week, police arrested three men who came from Bareilly in Delhi – around 250 kilometers -- only to steal a motorcycle. The motorcycles were then taken to Manipur and sold to their clients.