Despite Night Patrols, Over 1,300 Thefts in a Year Raise Questions on Police Efficiency in Bharatpur

Bharatpur :The rising number of thefts across Bharatpur district has cast a shadow over the effectiveness of the local police’s night patrolling system. Despite official claims that every police station in the district deploys around 15 personnel, including one officer, for nightly patrol duties, more than 1,300 theft cases have been reported in the past year.

The issue has gained renewed attention following two significant theft incidents reported within two days in the Sewar police station area. In the first incident, Constable Vasudev Singh, posted with the 7th RAC, returned to his Nirala Vihar residence on May 1 after attending a family wedding, only to discover that his house had been burgled. Thieves had broken the locks and escaped with gold jewellery, cash, and other valuables worth approximately ₹2.5 lakh.

The second incident occurred the same night in Bajrang Nagar Colony, where Mukesh Kumar’s home was targeted while he and his family were away in their native village. The thieves reportedly entered by scaling the boundary wall and stole goods valued at around ₹1.5 lakh. The act was recorded on a CCTV camera installed at the premises, which clearly captured three individuals committing the theft.

Police officials insist that robust patrol mechanisms are in place. According to their statements, each police station deploys between six to seven Home Guards in different colonies from 8 PM to 8 AM, in addition to mobile patrolling teams comprising 6 to 11 police personnel who are active throughout the night. However, residents allege that these patrols are largely restricted to paperwork and rarely translate into real presence or deterrence on the ground.

Mukesh Kumar, a victim of the recent theft, said, “The police patrols seem to exist only in records. We hardly see any patrolling in our locality at night.” His concern echoes the sentiments of many others across the district.

A district-wide overview further highlights the scale of the issue. In 2024 so far, Bharatpur reported 1,388 theft cases. Other districts also reported significant figures: Dholpur (888), Karauli (680), Deeg (780), Gangapur City (439), and Sawai Madhopur (444), bringing the total number of thefts across these six districts to a staggering 4,619.

Police, however, maintain that the situation is improving. “In 2023, Bharatpur alone recorded more than 1,500 thefts. That number has decreased to 1,388 in 2024. We have strengthened night patrolling and activated mobile teams in every area. Immediate action is being taken in every case reported,” said a senior police official.

Despite the reassurances, the persistent rise in theft cases continues to raise concerns over the actual effectiveness of law enforcement and their ability to ensure the safety of citizens. Residents are now demanding not just statistics, but visible and impactful police action to restore public trust and ensure safety.