Thefts average four a day in Male': Police

Thefts account for the largest share of reported crime in Male' this year, with an average of about four cases a day, mostly involving motorcycles and electronic devices, police said on today.

Speaking at a press conference, superintendent of police Abdulla Rasheed said 3,449 cases have been reported in Male' so far this year, of which 1,425 were theft-related. This represents 41 percent of all reported cases.

Rasheed said 93 percent of thefts involved motorcycles and electronic items such as mobile phones.

“Of the theft cases reported in Male', 93 percent involve motorcycles, electronics and mobile phones. We prioritize the recovery of motorcycles,” he said. “So far this year, 967 motorcycles have been reported stolen, and 865 have been recovered.”

Police estimate the value of the recovered motorcycles at about MVR 47 million. The total value of stolen property recovered and returned by police this year stands at around MVR 50 million, Rasheed said.

He added that the number of thefts reported in Male' this year was lower than last year, continuing a downward trend compared with previous years.

Police urged the public to take preventive measures to protect their property, advising people not to leave valuables under motorcycle seats, to ensure motorcycles are properly locked, and to entrust vehicles to someone if they are leaving for an extended period.

Residents were also advised to secure their homes properly when travelling or going on holiday.