Uttar Pradesh ranks the second highest in the number of vehicle thefts in India. There has been quite a surge in the number of thefts related to automobiles in India, particularly in UP, in recent times. As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), a vehicle is stolen every fifteen minutes in UP.

It seems that the authorities have failed to curb auto thefts in the state and UP has surpassed all records of the past to emerge at the highest ever theft figures in the state. While Delhi ranks the highest in terms of vehicle thefts with 38,644 vehicles stolen last year, UP comes a close second with 34,480 thefts, showing a sharp 33.9% rise over the previous year. The third is Maharashtra with 22,435 vehicle thefts. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh follow with 17,544 and 15,878 thefts, respectively.

Recently, the Maruti Wagon-R of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal was also reported to have been stolen, but was later found in Ghaziabad, UP (NCR). The car was tracked with the help of the CCTV footage obtained of the car thief.

Sources have indicated that the thieves have got a lot of encouragement lately and there is no action on the part of police or the authorities to deter such thieves. The thieves use latest techniques and gadgets that can override anti-theft systems fitted in cars. With help of gadgets, the thieves can manipulate engine control modules. They also duplicate keys easily.

In UP, a stolen vehicle is quickly disposed, which further makes it difficult to track. Vehicles are taken to salvage yards in places like Sotiganj, Meerut where cars are dismantled and hence the investigators have a tough time in tracing these vehicles. Spare parts of these dismantled vehicles are sold in Bihar, West Bengal and also in Nepal from Meerut.

While manufacturers are continuously innovating anti-theft systems, availability of technology is getting easier to crack such devices. We urge all our readers to keep their vehicles safe by avoiding parking at unattended areas. Parking in areas with surveillance is always beneficial. Its high time the authorities step in to bust such trades, which is harmful for not only the victims, but also to the entire automobile industry.

Source