Kathmandu, October 10:

Eighty per cent houses in the Valley are vulnerable to theft, chief of the Valley Crime Investigation Branch (VCIB), Hanumandhoka, said today. Keshav Adhikari, SP at the VCIB, made this remark while explaining the crime rate in the valley during the 15 days of Dashain (From Ghatasthapana to Purnima). The number of crime recorded over a period of 15 days during Dashain decreased by half compared to last year, according to the VCIB. The VCIB said that a total of 17 thefts, one robbery, two murders, one shooting, and three motorcyle thefts were reported during the period, whereas 27 thefts, three murders, five robberies, four looting, one shooting, one wildlife crime and eight motorcycle thefts were reported during fifteen days of Dashain last year.

“Our first job is to bring down the number of crime and we did it as compared to last year. The arrest of professional looters and thieves in a large number before Dashain is one of the major reasons behind the fall in the number of crimes during Dashain,” Adhikari told this daily.

The police were on high alert and a more personnel were deployed during Dashain; especially four days before Tika, he said. Despite police efforts, Kathmanduties are not aware about the situations that lead to crimes. “Eighty percent houses in the valley were found to be very unsafe; main gates were not locked properly, windows were open. Situations like these are something major to be blamed for thefts,” he added.