Vehicle thefts spike, alert issued

Amidst the soaring inflation and poverty, a rapid increase of vehicle theft is being reported to the Police with motorcycle thefts topping the list.

The total number of vehicle thefts and robberies reported within the first nine months of this year has already surpassed the total cases reported last year alone.

Accordingly, a total of 1,405 vehicle thefts have been reported to the Police in 2021. 

Police said nine buses, six vans, ten lorries, 34 cars, 353 three wheelers, 975 motor bicycles and 18 other vehicles were stolen last year.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the total number of vehicles theft reported up to September this year was 1,406.  
“Twelve buses, 25 vans, 16 lorry, 14 cars, 311 three wheelers, 1,016 motorcycles and 12 other vehicles were stole this period,” he said.

In the first nine months of last year, only 625 motorcycles were reported stolen.

“The majority of thefts takes place due to negligence of the owners of the vehicles,” SSP Thalduwa said.

He said most of the incidents reported to the Police in relation with vehicles came under the category of “Thefts” and not “Robberies.” 

He said a number of thefts of motorcycles was due to negligence of riders who leave the key and even helmet with the motorcycle when they park.

“Also, thefts have increased as the vehicles parts have gone up and thieves could easily earn higher amount of money cannibalizing those vehicles,” SSP Thalduwa said.

He said if the motorist can parked their vehicles in the vicinity of CCTV camera or if they could install a CCTV camera in their house, it would be easier to the police to investigate when there was a theft.

The spokesman advised the vehicle owners take precautionary measures and make it harder to someone to easily steal their vehicles.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)