Hyderabad: Chain-snatchers eye dimly-lit station spots

Hyderabad: Chain-snatchers are on a prowl at Secunderabad railway station. Four incidents were reported from the station in which gold chains were stolen from women passengers. The accused targeted elderly women who were waiting to board trains.

Police said an analysis of CCTV footage revealed that the chain-snatchers were especially looking for spots which were not covered by cameras, and struck mostly in the morning hours. Six teams, including personnel from Railway Police and Railway Protection Force have been formed to nab the culprits, DSP S. Rajendra Prasad of Secunderabad Railway police said.

The increased chain-snatching incidents at  the railway station are posing a threat to passengers safety and a challenge for the cops. About 1.5 lakh passenger travel through Secunderabad station every day. Police have now laid special emphasis on controlling this menace.

Analysing the four incidents reported in December, police found that the primary targets were women. In one case an elderly woman was robbed, while single women were targeted in the three other snatching cases. 

“The crime pattern indicates that the criminals are technically sound and took care of not being captured in any of the CCTV cameras on the station. They targeted women waiting for trains, looted chains and boarded other trains to flee from the station. They did not come back towards the exit to avoid the cameras.” said Mr Prasad.

Investigations in one case involved a burqa-clad person who turned out to be a man.

All the offences were reported in the early hours between 5am and 9am. 
“Six teams are working on clues. Checking has been intensified at dimly-lit areas on the station premises,” the DSP said.