KATHMANDU: Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Ramshahpath, has been receiving an increased number of complaints of motorcycle theft.

According to DSP Bibhuti Raj Pandey, on an average four complaints of bike theft are lodged at the MTPD daily.

Only half of the complaints are probed into. Most of the thefts occur at the owners' houses between 8 pm and 1 am.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Pandey claimed that the main reason behind the theft is unemployment among the youth who want to live in style. Relatively fewer bike thefts were reported from parking lots.

For dexterous thieves, stealing bikes is no big deal as it takes them barely three minutes to unlock them.

The MTPD recorded 1,108 cases of two-wheeler thefts in 2006/07 against 1,407

in 2007/8. In 2008, as many as 1,158 cases were investigated into and 772 motor-bikes were returned to their owners.

Between mid-May and mid-June, the MTPD recorded 202 cases of bike loss while 44 were handed back to their owners. Thieves' involvement was proved in 24 of the cases. Of the stolen bikes, 69 were Bajaj Pulsar and 54 were Hero Honda Splendor.

New Baneshwor, Shantinagar, Shankhamul, Buddhanagar and Dillibazaar are where bike thieves strike more often. Pandey said bike-owners should use a spare lock and instal an alarm to check theft.

On an average, 300 unclaimed bikes are sent to customs office annually.