For decades, Jammu was regarded as one of the safest cities in northern India, with only occasional reports of criminal activity.
Residents could walk through neighbourhoods late into the evening without fear of street crime, as such incidents were relatively rare. However, over the past several months, crimes including thefts and daylight snatching incidents have increased significantly, raising concerns about the effectiveness of police patrolling and law enforcement measures.
Incidents of gold jewellery snatching from women have become increasingly common and are frequently captured on CCTV cameras. In several cases, groups of men on two-wheelers have forcibly snatched jewellery, injuring victims in the process.
Areas including Talab Tillo, Bantalab, Channi Himmat, Sainik Colony and several others have witnessed such incidents, leaving residents worried. Many households have now installed CCTV cameras to monitor their surroundings, particularly during the night.
A recent incident, recorded on CCTV, in which a gang of thieves was seen roaming in Sainik Colony area where they also broke into a home left the residents in panic. The residents have started questioning the police as to how the groups of thieves are openly moving on roads without being detected by the police.
While Jammu has witnessed rapid population growth during the recent years due to industrial growth in the region, the infrastructure remains limited. In many localities of the city there is still inadequate street lighting, limited surveillance coverage and insufficient night patrolling by police that creates opportunities for criminals.
It is important to mention here that the police have although solved many theft and burglary cases in the recent past and also recovered stolen items including mobile phones, the recurring nature of these crimes suggest that preventive measures need equal attention. Better patrolling in vulnerable areas, expansion of CCTV cameras and greater community participation is needed to deter the criminals.
The growing incidents of theft are not a problem of stolen valuables but the erosion of public confidence and feeling of safety that the residents of Jammu deserve.