Three vehicles stolen in Allahabad every day in January

ALLAHABAD: Auto-lifters made off with three vehicles every day in the city in January in Allahabad district, says police data released on Monday.
According to the data, 115 cases of auto thefts were reported between January 1 and January 31, 2020 in Allahabad district — the highest among the eight districts comprising Allahabad zone.
The eight districts comprising Allahabad zone are Allahabad, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba and Chitrakoot. Hamirpur was at the bottom of the list with zero auto-thefts during the period, followed by Banda (2) and Chitrakoot (2).
Allahabad was followed by Pratapgarh (30), Kaushambi (15), and Fatehpur (seven).
In 2019, Allahabad recorded over 1,500 cases of auto-theft, which included 1,345 stolen motorcycles.
Crime branch officials said that 18 auto-lifting gangs were busted last year and most of the accused were in their 20s and 30s. The arrests indicate how more and more youth are foraying into this crime, said police.
Police said most youths resort to stealing cars and motorcycles in order to earn quick money and to lead a lavish lifestyle. In 2019, police arrested over 150 men for auto-lifting and most of them did not have a criminal background.
During the period, police also recovered more than 300 stolen vehicles. Police said that auto-lifters see localities in trans-Ganga and trans-Yamuna areas of the city as safe hideouts for their loot.
IG (Allahabad range) KP Singh said, “Police units have been directed to work on an effective strategy to tighten the noose around auto-lifting gangs.”
In 2019, police had identified at least 32 spots in the city prone to auto-lifting.