TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Against the backdrop of an alarming increase in the number of thefts and burglaries, Goa Police have set up an Anti Burglary and Thefts Cell to crackdown on criminals and once again issued an advisory to alert elderly women from those impersonating as policemen.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr O P Mishra told reporters that they have adopted preventive strategy to combat and identify the gang. At the same time, he urged citizens, particularly elderly women to be watchful of persons who claim to be policemen and dupe them of jewellery.
“My understanding is that the conmen belong to one gang who take a lot of precautions before targeting their victims. They have chosen vulnerable time to cheat elderly women wearing gold jewellery,” he said.
The advisory comes after two women were stripped of their jewellery worth lakhs of rupees in broad day light on Thursday in the capital. Besides constituting the cell under the Crime Branch, the department has already constituted one special team in each of the two districts to carry out detailed analysis of all such cases reported at their respective police stations.
“Additional police force is also mobilized with special direction for patrolling. Eagle patrolling teams have also been deployed at specific locations including secluded areas,” Mishra added.
The department, also baffled by increasing daylight burglaries has started a fresh drive on safety measures and insisted on community policing to thwart attempts of house thefts.
“Staff strengths in both districts has been reinforced and it will be further strengthened with the inclusion of newly recruited 600-odd constables who are completing their basic training (at Police Training School in Valpoi) by next week,” DIG K K Vyas said. The constables who pass out will be deployed at various police stations including those under jurisdictions where crime graphs are high.
Vyas requested residents to inform their neighbours and/or nearby police stations about their absence from their houses. Suspecting involvement of outside gang, the department is seeking assistance of its counterparts in Maharashtra and Karnataka to identify the criminals. Crime Branch has been tasked with the inter-state exchange of information and physical verification of criminals.
“I don’t think Goa is the only theft-affected State. This is everywhere and in larger measure, it does not mean we have to lower our guard,” Vyas opined.
