Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) Saying the police is not a ‘chowkidar’, Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal Friday said people need to be careful about their vehicles and spend some money on putting proper security locks in them. We cannot have our policemen everywhere, he said. “People in Delhi spends hundreds of thousands and sometimes more than millions while buying new cars. But they are not ready to spend Rs 10,000-15,000 on security apparatus for their vehicles,” Dadwal told reporters at its annual police conference here.

According to police, 9,895 cases of motor vehicle thefts were registered in 20088 compared to 8,039 cases in 2007 - marking an increase of 23.08 percent.

“People park their car anywhere on the road and think it is our responsibility to keep their vehicles safe. Indifference of owners that ‘police may care’ attitude is also responsible. We cannot have our policemen everywhere,” Dadwal said.

“Police is not a chowkidar (guard). We have one beat officer, which cater to 10,000 people so you cannot expect them (police) to keep a check on every vehicle. People themselves need to be aware and responsible,” he added.

Improper parking also emerged as a major traffic problem. 339,736 challans were issued for improper parking this year against 188,400 in 2007 (an increase of 80 percent).

The police commissioner further said that they have written to motor vehicle manufacturers to instal anti-theft devices at the factory or at the time of delivery of vehicle.

The police also attribute the motor vehicle thefts to the increase in number of motor vehicles and inadequate parking spaces.

“Another reason for high number of motor vehicles theft cases is large number of vehicles in Delhi, more than the number of vehicles of Chennai and Mumbai put together,” he added.

Dadwal said the police have taken a number of steps to prevent theft of cars.

“The records of stolen vehicles have been computerised and we have also requested various State Transport Authorities not to register second-hand vehicles without receiving NOC from the concerned authority,” he added.

“Parking attendants have been sensitized and we are also coordinating with insurance agencies,” he added.