Motorcycle theft on the rise in Karachi

KARACHI: The Citizens Police Liasion Committee (CPLC) revealed statistics regarding motorcycle theft and snatching incidents in Karachi on Tuesday.

According to CPLC data, there has been a significant increase in motorcycle theft and snatching incidents over the last four months compared to the same period the previous year.

Read more: Sindh announces reconditioned motorcycles for theft victims

CPLC reported that an average of 167 motorcycles were stolen or snatched daily in the first four months of 2024. This resulted in a total of 20,152 incidents, marking an increase in crime compared to the same period the previous year. 156 motorcycles were reported stolen or snatched daily in 2023, totaling 18,953 incidents.

The rise in motorcycle theft and snatching incidents adds to the broader trend of increasing street crimes in Karachi. In 2023, the city witnessed more than 11 per cent increase in street crime from previous year with over 90,000 incidents reported. Among these were 134 murders, numerous injuries during robberies, and 411 civilian fatalities.

Motorcycles were particularly targeted by thieves, with more than 59,305 motorcycles reported stolen or snatched in 2023.

In addition to motorcycles, cars and mobile phones were also frequent targets of theft and snatching. In 2023, 2,336 cars and over 28,000 mobile phones were reported stolen or snatched.

Read more: Over 0.1m students apply for Punjab govt’s motorcycle scheme

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori initiated a plan to aid citizens whose motorcycles were stolen in late 2023.

Victims can submit their reports directly to the Governor House for verification by the CPLC. Tessori said he “understood” the difficulties faced by victims and promised to provide them with reconditioned motorcycles.

The governor announced plans to collaborate with charities in assisting over 2,000 people initially. He also promised to extend support to those who lost their phones in thefts by providing replacements.