Three burglaries reported every day in Gurgaon: Police records

Poor patrolling and few CCTV cameras installed in residential areas have led to a sudden increase in burglaries this year with over three incidents reported every day, police data states.

Poor patrolling and few CCTV cameras installed in residential areas have led to a sudden increase in burglaries this year with over three incidents reported every day, police data states.

In January, an NRI’s apartment in a posh New Gurgaon area was ransacked and valuables worth Rs 1.5 crore were stolen. (HT File Photo)

The Gurgaon police has registered 1,105 burglaries so far, which is higher than what was reported last year — 1,077 with valuables and cash over Rs 2 crore stolen. The police are yet to calculate the total worth of valuables stolen this year.

The number of burglaries has risen steadily since 2012 and 2013 when 529 and 589 cases were reported, respectively.

Two cases were reported last week from posh residential localities of New Gurgaon.

In the first incident that took place on November 27, unidentified people broke into a house in Sector 49 and fled with jewellery and other valuables. According to the police, the complainant, Ravi Krishna Prakash, was out of town with his family when the accused ransacked his house. They stole gold, silver and other ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh. “We have filed an FIR and started probing the case,” inspector Vijay Kumar, station house officer of the Sadar police station, said.

In the second incident, which also took place on the night of November 27, unidentified accused broke into an apartment in Ardee City and stole cash, ornaments and goods worth Rs 3 lakh. Complainant Binu Yadav was not at home when the incident took place.

On the same night, a window of a car was found shattered and a mobile phone was missing from the vehicle parked at Ansal Plaza in Palam Vihar.

“There are hardly any police personnel or security guards patrolling the area, especially at night. There have been several cases in our locality recently but the police have not been taking action,” Kavita Choudhary, a resident of Ardee City, said.

In all of these cases, there were no CCTV cameras installed in the residential areas, which makes it difficult for the short-staffed Gurgaon police to nab the accused. Out of the 1,105 burglaries reported this year, the police could solve only 490 cases.

“Most burglaries take place during the day when residents are at their workplace. We have come across cases in which residents were unaware that a neighbouring apartment was being ransacked. The burglars keep a watch on locked flats with minimal security arrangements. They also visit the area several times before breaking into the apartment,” deputy commissioner of police (crime) Ved Prakash Godara said.

The other factor that makes detection of these cases difficult is the slim police presence in residential areas. Residents have taken up this issue with the Gurgaon police but there has been no change in the situation on ground. To this, the police had asked residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) to install CCTV cameras in their areas.

“Most of the buildings that were targeted do not have CCTV cameras. We have repeatedly asked RWAs to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed on their premises. But they seem reluctant to spend from their pocket for safety and security,” Godara said.