KOCHI:As the monsoon is intensifying, the City Police have strengthened night patrolling to keep a check on thieves. Though the city is witnessing a dip in burglaries, the theft at a house in Pathadipalam, near Kalamassery, has prompted the cops to maintain extra vigil during this 'rainy season'. As many as 51 thefts have already been reported from the city in the first three months of this year. Last year, over 311 thefts had been reported in the city.
City police commissioner M P Dinesh said the police have issued an alert to city residents and briefed them about safety precautions that need to be taken in the wake of the monsoon. “When compared to other cities, theft cases are coming down in Kochi. We have deployed 53 parties for patrolling at night across the city,” he said. He said the residents have to maintain vigil when leaving house for one or two days. “In Pathadipalam the theft occurred in the house of a retired Reserve Bank of India officer. The family left the house for a few days keeping gold and valuables inside,” he added.
Recently, the city police arrested notorious robbers Mariyarputham aka Johnson, Kottaram Babu and Titanic Biju, all specialised in house thefts in the city. Mariyarputham was nabbed during a patrolling at the Lisie Hospital area in March. These arrests have helped the police in bringing down the robber ies. Earlier, the twin robberies at Pullepady and Eroor along with a series of thefts in Kaloor area had put the residents in a scary situation. However, the arrests of the gang operating the twin thefts and the notorious robbers helped the residents heave a sigh of relief.
Officers said that additional police officers have been allotted to other police stations in the city considering the requirement at the stations to strengthen vigil during the monsoon season. These officers are sent to different areas in the police station limits along with officers on station duty.
"Monsoon is a season of thefts. We are being extra vigilant by adding the number of the patrolling team. Officials have been allotted rain gear and torch lights for effective surveillance," said an officer.
