Chain snatchers make hay while bullion shines

Chain snatching has become a popular 'sport' across the state; though top cop says the number of such incidents has gone down in the city

If you thought the spiralling prices of gold were bad news, there is another reason you should be concerned about. For, the police are attributing the sky-high gold prices to the recent spike in chain snatching cases across the state. They say that it has drawn new offenders to make a quick buck.



Concerned with the increasing number incidents, DV Guruprasad, Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has started using social network sites to create awareness among the general public. He is urging people to safeguard their wearable valuables while venturing out, because chain-snatching cases in the state has risen from 6-7 per cent, compared with the last year.

Guruprasad attributes the number of such incidents to the gold surge. The gold rate reached its highest rate at approximately Rs 21,000 per 10 gram, this year, and silver has crossed Rs 300 per 10 gram. For snatchers, it's the best time to earn big bucks.

According to the police, 25 to 30 chain snatchings take place across the state, every day. Over 90 per cent incidents happen between 8.30 to 10 pm. Around 60 per cent of such incidents go unsolved. In smaller cities such as Tumkur, Belgaum and Hubli, snatching cases, and burglaries have seen a sharp rise.

Says Guruprasad in his post, "In almost all the districts of the state, cases of chain snatching and bag snatching are being reported on a daily basis. I urge all my Facebook friends, and though them, all their families and friends, to be very careful. With gold rates at an all time high, it has become lucrative for criminals to snatch chains and run away."

But Bangalore is safe, according to Joint Commissioner (crime) Alok Kumar. Statistics reveal that the number of snatchings has gone down in 2010. Last year, there were 336 cases in the city, but this year, the number is 216, as of November 15.

Said Kumar, "We have seen less incidents in 2010 compared with 2009 in Bangalore. Chain snatching reached its highest peak in 2008u00a0-- with the 400 mark. I don't deny that the gold price hike is linked to snatchings.

We nabbed quite a few professional snatchers over the last two years, in the city. We'll get a clearer picture only after the year is over."

25-30 number of chain snatching incidents that happen across the state every day

60%u00a0chain snatching cases go unsolved