Pune’s Pedestrian Day Highlights Safety Concerns Amid Rising Theft Incidents

Pune, 19th December 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) launched the Pedestrian Day initiative on Laxmi Road, allowing pedestrians to move freely on the roads and footpaths for a day. Pedestrians were honoured on this occasion. However, the issue of pedestrian safety has once again come to the forefront. Incidents of mobile phones, cash, and jewellery being stolen from pedestrians through threats have been on the rise in Pune. In the past eleven months, 167 such incidents have occurred, raising concerns about pedestrian safety.

By the end of November, there were 167 thefts of mobile phones, cash, and jewellery from pedestrians in Pune. Out of these, 71 cases were solved. While the central part of the city has seen relatively fewer incidents, thefts of mobile phones and jewellery have been increasing in the suburbs. Citizens shopping in crowded areas and those buying vegetables at markets have become frequent targets. Women, in particular, have had their mobile phones stolen. Victims often do not notice these crimes immediately due to the hustle and bustle around them.

In response, the police have increased patrols in crowded areas of Pune, including the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus stand area. Officials from the crime branch have reported that they are keeping a close watch on thieves who engage in such crimes. In recent years, thefts of jewellery and cash from PMPML passengers have also increased. Thieves have become more active in areas such as PMC Building, Swargate, Hadapsar, and Pune Railway Station. They target passengers on crowded buses, particularly during peak hours when people are commuting to and from schools, offices, and shops.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingle stated, “The police are closely monitoring the movements of notorious thieves who have been released from jail on bail. Residents of every police station in the city are being summoned for questioning, and information about their residences and relatives is being gathered. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has ordered regular patrolling of deserted roads within each police station’s jurisdiction, and roadblocks are being set up nightly to question suspicious drivers.”

Police advice:
– Avoid displaying jewellery in public.
– Be alert in public places.
– Keep a close eye on suspicious individuals around you.
– Avoid travelling on deserted roads at night.
– If you are being followed at night, immediately contact ‘112.’
– Report mobile theft on the central government’s ‘CEIR’ website.
– Keep an eye on valuables in public places.