The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for the security at Delhi Metro stations, says that women pickpocketing gangs are responsible for over 90% of the cases observed. According to reports, the CISF has caught 373 pickpockets of which 329 were women.
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These gangs usually enter the metro in groups and are accompanied by little children or toddlers. Behaving like an ordinary part of the crowded train, they attract unsuspecting victims by making conversation or by drawing attention towards the accompanying child. While some divert the attention of the innocent victims, the others find the appropriate moment and pick their pockets. The stations most prone to these incidents are Shahdara, HUDA City Centre, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Kirti Nagar, Tughlakabad and New Delhi.
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Recurring complaints have compelled the CISF to to create an anti-theft squad at every metro line. These squads identify pickpockets and keep a strict eye on them. A CISF official said, “As per the law, we cannot stop anyone from entering into metro premises. But we are aware of the groups that come to metro only for pickpocketing. Now, our staff start follow them as soon as they enter the metro premises and keep a watch so that they do not commit any offence.”
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In a recent incident on May 22 at Karol Bagh, Rs.20,000 was pick pocketed by a group of robbers. On may 31 at Shadipur station, a case was filed over a missing phone. The gang was caught on CCTV. “When we analysed the CCTV footage, they had left the metro station by that time. On June 2, they entered again from Subhash Nagar metro station and were stopped by the CISF. They usually commit the offence in a moving crowded train, making it difficult to get evidence,” the official said. The CISF has recovered stolen gold jewellery and cash from many such pickpocketers. In 2016, at least, 41 male and 438 female suspected pickpockets were caught by the CISF.