Lockdown period saw rise in burglaries in Bhubaneswar: Stats

BHUBANESWAR: The lockdown and shutdown in the wake of Covid outbreak unfolded untold misery for people, who were forced to return to their native places following job loss, closure of offices, shops and educational institutes. But the unprecedented crisis came as a blessing in disguise for burglars and thieves in the capital city.
Statistics showed a rise in cases relating to house break-in by burglars in Bhubaneswar between April and July as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The burglars struck in the vacant and rented houses, whose tenants had left for their villages during the lockdown.
Lockdown in the state came into force on March 22 and continued till May 31. The unlocking process started in a phased manner, except for containment zones from June 1till July 16. In view of the alarming rise in Covid-19 positive cases and deaths, the government re-imposed lockdown in Khurda (Bhubaneswar city under the district), Ganjam, Cuttack and Jajpur districts and Rourkela municipal corporation from July 17 till July 31.
The commissionerate police data said while 93 cases of house burglary were reported in Bhubaneswar from April to July in 2019, the figure rose to 111 during the same four months this year. A total of 14, 26, 36 and 35 burglary cases were reported in the city in April, May, June and July this year, respectively as against 22, 14, 22 and 35 such cases during the corresponding period of 2019.
Theft and robbery cases occurred unabated during the stringent lockdown period though their percentage slightly declined as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. A total of 485 and 474 theft cases were reported between April and July in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
However, the statistics showed that the number of theft cases, which included snatching of mobile phones, chains and wallets, increased in May and June this year as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. A total of 102 and 150 theft cases were reported in May and June this year as against 81 and 128 such cases reported in May and June in 2019. The overall robbery cases dropped to 60 during April-July this year from 99 during the corresponding period in 2019. But June and July this year witnessed a spurt in such cases.
Police said a total of 25 rape cases were reported here between April and July this year as against 36 such cases during the same period in 2019.
Police attributed the reason for the sudden spurt in burglary, theft and snatching cases to loss of livelihood during the lockdown. “Most of the accused were habitual offenders, but they used to make their ends meet from the money of their family members. Some of them were working in roadside dhabas or hawkers. Closure of the income sources forced them to commit crimes,” a police officer said. “We have busted several gangs of robbers and snatchers in the last three weeks and recovered stolen articles,” the officer said.