Despite increased vigilance and special operations by law enforcement, muggers continue to terrorize the streets of the city. Recent crime data reveals a concerning rise in mugging incidents.
According to police officials, mugging cases are categorized under the Speedy Trial Act when a person is caught in the act or when an item is snatched. If fewer than five individuals are involved, the case is filed under the Penal Code, labeled as “robbery” (Dasyuta). In December alone, 159 robbery cases were recorded across the country, up from 133 in November. Over the course of 2024, the number of these cases increased to 1,412, compared to 1,227 the previous year.
Police suspect the actual number of muggings is much higher, as many victims avoid reporting incidents, often filing general diaries for lost items instead of formal complaints. During a crime review meeting, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam emphasized the need for intensified efforts to combat crimes like extortion, mugging, and murder. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali also underscored the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to snatchers and extortionists.
An intelligence report has identified 432 mugging hotspots in the capital and its outskirts, where at least 979 active muggers operate, most of whom are wanted in various criminal cases. In the final four months of 2024, special drives led to the arrest of 864 individuals, with the number of arrests peaking at 564 in December.
However, despite these measures, muggings remain a deadly threat. In one tragic incident on December 15, Mohammad Habibullah, an 18-year-old clothing store employee, was fatally stabbed by muggers in Moghbazar. A similar tragedy occurred on December 18, when 23-year-old Kamrul Hasan was killed by muggers in Sayedabad after refusing to surrender his mobile phone.
Many mugging hotspots, such as Jatrabari, Sayedabad, and Mirhazirbagh, are notorious for attacks, particularly by drug-addicted individuals targeting valuables like mobile phones. In Khilgaon, Kajal Ahmed, 44, and his relatives were attacked by muggers on January 2 while traveling in an auto-rickshaw. The muggers stabbed Kajal before fleeing with cash and mobile phones. Despite filing a case with the police, the stolen items and the culprits have not been identified or arrested.
The DMP’s intelligence report also highlights that areas like Uttara, Abdullahpur, and the Airport region are rife with mugging activity, with local criminals frequently targeting passengers of private cars and buses, sometimes even in broad daylight.
The Mohammadpur area, in particular, has been flagged as a major hotspot, with 205 active muggers and 108 identified locations where such crimes frequently occur. Mohammadpur’s proximity to the river and its network of escape routes make it an ideal location for criminals to flee after committing crimes.
In response to the growing threat, DMP has deployed both uniformed and plainclothes officers at these hotspots and is conducting targeted operations to apprehend the listed muggers. Officials believe that by using last year’s crime data, they can improve patrols, increase vigilance, and raise awareness among the public to help curb this wave of crime.
