Kathmandu, June 12

Police today said it arrested as many as 307 suspects in Kathmandu valley during their 15-day special measures against property crimes.

According to Metropolitan Police Crime Division, 19 persons were held with Rs 29,700, iron hooks used for breaking padlock, a motorcycle, two scooters, two bicycles and gold ornaments they allegedly stole from various houses. They have been charged with theft.

Similarly, three suspects were arrested in possession of hashish and prescription drugs and are facing drug charges while one was handed over to Revenue Investigation Department as he was held with banned Indian banknotes worth one million, said SP Narendra Upreti at MPCD. Likewise, 53 were found to have been involved in pick-pocketing and snatching.

“Rest of others have been released after screening and profiling and are under police surveillance,” he said, adding that cases of property crimes had declined after police launched the security operation. As part of the anti-theft campaign, police have been carrying out night ambushing, patrolling and frisking around-the-clock.

MPCD said it had been taking a set of measures to combat property crimes, including burglaries, pick-pocketing, robbery and snatching in the valley. The ongoing campaign focuses on controlling thefts both during the day and at night in unattended houses and rooms in core city and beyond Ring Road areas with special focus on crowded areas, bus parks, marketplaces, solitary places, residential areas and business enterprises, among others.

According to Metropolitan Police Office, as many as 521 cases of property crimes were recorded in the valley in the fiscal 2016-17 compared to 419 so far this fiscal. Criminals have been making houses and rooms their soft target during office hours when the house owners and tenants leave their abode for daily work.