Security scare in trains, theft, pickpocketing on the rise

New Delhi: There has been an increase in crime, including cases of theft, dacoity and pickpocketing, in trains in 2013 as compared to 2012, Lok Sabha was told today. Theft cases have gone up from 5,174 in 2012 to 6,258 in 2013 in long distance trains, Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said in a written reply.[caption id="attachment_1400945" align="alignleft" width="380"] Security risk in trains. Reuters[/caption] While there were 21 dacoity cases in 2012, they rose to 27 in 2013 and pickpocketing in trains also witnessed a rise from 213 in 2012 to 256 in 2013.However, drugging case in trains have come down from 496 in 2012 to 352 in 2013. There were as many as 5,818 people arrested for theft, dacoity, pickpocketing and drugging in trains during the last three years.Currently, 1,275 trains are escorted by RPF on an average daily in addition to 2200 trains escorted by GRP across the country. PTI