Lahore: Pickpocketing incidents in Lahore increased by nearly 12 per cent during the first eight months of the year, with police records showing 16,680 cases compared with 14,939 in the corresponding period last year.
The sharpest increase was recorded in the Cantt Division, where reported pickpocketing cases more than doubled to 3,048 from 1,296 during the same period last year.
The Saddar Division also witnessed an increase, with cases rising to 2,996 from 2,755, while Iqbal Town recorded 2,192 incidents compared with 2,066 last year.
The City Division reported 3,652 pickpocketing cases during the first eight months, only marginally higher than the 3,642 cases registered in the corresponding period last year.
In contrast, the Civil Lines Division recorded a decline, with cases falling to 1,596 from 1,892. The Model Town Division also witnessed a slight decrease, with reported incidents dropping to 3,196 from 3,288.
According to police data, pickpocketing incidents were reported mainly at crowded public places, including shrines, bus terminals and railway stations, where large gatherings and congestion provide opportunities for such crimes.
The overall increase has raised concerns about the growing activity of pickpocketing gangs in crowded areas of the provincial capital, while the division-wise figures show significant variations in the trend across Lahore.