Cops to get tough with chain, phone snatchers in Chennai

They can be arrested under Section 411 of the IPC. If charges are confirmed, they can be imprisoned up to 3 years or fined or both. Lack of police action against the receivers of stolen property, has encouraged small time jewellers and pawn brokers to accept stolen gold jewellery at cheaper rates and the accused too find it easier to dispose them. Police have been hesitant to book the receivers due to pressure from the traders’ associations. 

“We are working towards that and steps have been initiated for crime prevention. We are now closely watching all those who enter the city. Bus stands and railway stations are being strictly monitored. We are also picking up suspects and interrogating them thoroughly,” H M Jayaram, additional commissioner of police, North, who also holds the additional charge of Chennai South.

Police have now deployed 122 vehicle-checking points in the city (62 by the traffic cops and 60 by the law and order wing). These vehicle-checking teams change the checking point every few hours, virtually bringing the entire city under police surveillance. 

They hand over the duty to ‘anti-snatching squads’ in the early morning and shift their surveillance near parks and temples to prevent chain and mobile phone snatching. Residential areas are also monitored early morning, when milk is delivered. He added that the city police have now divided the jurisdiction under each police station into two and the two inspectors at each station have been given the responsibility of each division. 

As per the existing rules, the crime inspectors hardly get involved in crime prevention. Unfortunately, the law and order inspectors are taken to task for crimes like snatching and robbery in their jurisdiction. With the new plan, both inspectors will be held responsible for laxity in crime prevention in their respective divisions. 

The police jurisdictions are further divided into several segments, based on the number of constables available in each station and two constables have been posted to take care of each segment. These constables will patrol their segments regularly. 

“They will share their mobile numbers to the public, requesting them to alert the police whenever they see any suspicious activity. With regular patrolling, constables will also become familiar with residents and will be able to identify a stranger with ease,” the additional commissioner said.