New Delhi: An overwhelming majority of the pickpockets - 94 per cent - caught in the Delhi Metro network this year are women, an official data has revealed.

Figures compiled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for 11 months, from January to November, show that a total of 293 women pickpockets were held as compared to 22 men in the rapid transport system of the national capital region.

The CISF is the designated nodal force for securing the Delhi Metro network, platforms and rail coaches.

"Women pickpockets have been dominating the Delhi Metro premises in these acts. It has been found that they camouflage their intentions by deploying a clever modus operandi of accompanying a child or carrying a toddler. In most cases it was found that the women who were apprehended after the act of stealing were the least doubtful," a senior official said.

The CISF, which is tasked to secure the 134 Metro stations in the NCR, hand over these men and women to local police for action under law.

The rise in numbers of women pickpockets has been a subject of challenge for security agencies in the Metro network including the CISF as the figures for the last year also depict a similar trend.

Last year, of the total 466 pickpockets held across various stations of the Delhi metro, 421 were women while the rest were male.

CISF personnel also recovered over Rs 29.56 lakh in cash, cheques/drafts of value of over Rs 9 crore, foreign currency worth Rs 86,683, gold ornaments and other valuables worth more than Rs 16 lakh from the transit system this year.

At least 144 laptops, 40 cameras, 115 watches, 447 mobiles and a dozen Ipads and Tablet computers, which were forgotten by the commuters mostly during frisking or in the platform areas, were also found.

"A majority of these items have been restored to the rightful owners after proper verification of the claims made by those who lost or forgot their valuables in the Delhi Metro," the official said.