In a unique step towards prevention and detection of crime involving two-wheelers, the Coimbatore City Police have sought cooperation from two-wheeler mechanics by acting as Friends of Police (FoP).
The initiative, taken up with the support of two-wheeler mechanics association and FoP in Coimbatore, is expected help the police prevent and crack two-wheeler thefts, chain snatching and related offences.
The aim of the city police is to engage more than 1,500 two-wheeler mechanics from Coimbatore city in FoP circle.
At a meeting convened for two-wheeler mechanics on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) P. Perumal said that offences involving two-wheeler continued to be a headache for the police as well as the public.
“As mechanics, chances are high for you to get information on stolen vehicles and use of two-wheelers for offences such as chain snatching. Such information can be passed to the police. FoP can be the right medium for the same,” said Mr. Perumal to over 250 mechanics who attended the meeting.
S. Senthilkumar, FoP coordinator in Coimbatore, said that 300 persons from 25 educational institutions in the city were part of FoP now. “The network can be enhanced and thus help the police by involving two-wheeler mechanics,” he said.
According to K.S. Mani of Coimbatore District Two-wheeler Mechanics Association, the body has close to 2,000 members and all of them will be joining FoP to support the police.
Forms for becoming member of FoP were given to the participants. They were also given booklet containing telephone numbers of police stations and officers.
