Most of them were arrested for thefts. As many as 77 women were arrested for thefts, compared to 38 last year. The rest were arrested for other crimes under IPC and the Arms Act.
The data shows that over 4,600 thefts were reported this year, compared to 2,700 last year.Speaking about how some women conduct the thefts, a senior officer said that a group of women, four or eight of them, operates on the metro. They identify potential targets based on their luggage. Their primary focus is on cash and jewellery.
“The group often strikes when passengers are boarding or deboarding. They may surround the target and distract them, allowing one of the individuals to open the victim’s luggage and steal a purse containing jewellery or cash. Travellers are advised to remain vigilant, keep their valuables close to themselves, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities,” the officer said.
They often target people at metro stations that have line change options as these have a high passenger volume. They board trains around 11 am and keep changing trains till they find a target, continuing this until 5 pm. They may commit one or two thefts a day before leaving the premises. Another officer said that the gangs also induct fresh faces.
“We are currently tracking the movements of seven to eight gangs. Other stakeholders have been briefed about the gangs and have been provided their photographs. This way, they can alert us if they spot any of them on the metro premises,” a police officer said.
The officer said the blue line was targeted by these groups of women the most.
Deputy commissioner of police (metro) Ram Gopal Naik said the police have identified theft hotspots. They have deployed officers in uniform and plainclothes to catch the women. “Photographs of repeat offenders have been distributed to patrolling staff. Our intensive and focused effort led to more arrests and, consequently, a decrease in such types of incidents,” he said.