Border Check Force to nab fleeing offenders

Kochi: The Kochi Police has deployed ‘Border Check Force’ at various points on the city’s outskirts to nab offending vehicles and criminals trying to escape after committing offences.

Nearly 50 personnel have been drawn from the Armed Reserve Camp and the local police. Each unit has one officer and two constables equipped with walkie-talkies and CCTV cameras to monitor vehicles passing through border points.

“We’ve set up outposts for the force at places like Kalamassery, Trikkakara, near Edakochi-Aroor bridge and Kumbalam toll plaza among others. CCTV cameras have been placed near the post or at the nearest vantage points.

The police personnel will be alerted immediately if any crime happens in the city so that fleeing vehicles can be nabbed at those points,” said Kochi City Police Commissioner K. G. James.

The officer said that the experiment has already borne fruit with many cases of fleeing vehicles being nabbed at the border check point.

“For instance the accused in the recent Palarivattom chain snatching case were nabbed at Edakochi after being alerted. Also we can find out if such vehicles have crossed the city limits upon noting the time of incident,” said a police official from the AR camp.

The move will also enable the police force to battle the acute personnel shortage. “Since we can’t ensure patrol vehicles in all parts of the city, such posts are handy.

This move was initiated after we noticed a trend of gangs coming in from outside and fleeing the city after committing crimes. It also helps in apprehending vehicles which flee without stopping after running over pedestrians,” the officer said.