Make hay while the sun shines, many property offenders in the city seem to adhering to this popular adage, literally. Come Ramzan and the markets near the historic monument attract gangs of pocket pickers, chain snatchers and petty thieves.
Right from picking pockets, flicking wrist watches and gold chains and stealing goods many offences are reported in the area during the month in the vast expanse which falls under Charminar, Hussainialam, Mirchowk and Moghalpura police station limits.
Though teams of policemen in mufti (civilian clothes) maintain a vigil in the markets, property offenders carry on their job without much hitch. Last year many complaints of pocket picking, mobile phone thefts and goods were received at the local police stations.
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On an average six cases of pocket picking and mobile phone theft are reported everyday the number swells as the rush increase in the run up the festival. “Many people do not prefer to lodge complaints as they are aware that they will not get back the belongings,” says Muneer, a local shopkeeper.
Irrespective of their gender the property offenders utilise their skills to rob the shoppers. A few gangs also rope in children for the job.
“Three gangs of women thieves from Hassannagar and Afzalsagar areas of the city are most active in the area. This time we are specifically on lookout for them,” said a police official. This apart, many gangs of pocket pickers from across the city also try to make the most out of the rush, he points out.
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However, the police are confident to curb the offences this time. “We have formed four teams headed by a Sub Inspector each and they are on the job. Also we have put up posters with photos of property offenders at various places to warn the public,” Additional DCP (South) K. Babu Rao said.