MUMBAI: Andheri , Borivli, Bandra Malad and Dadar stations have the highest incidence of passenger propertyrelated crime on Western Railway, according to a study by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).Thefts and robberies of passengers’ valuables form the bulk of all crimes on railways. For the past two years, these five stations accounted for more than 75% of the thefts and robberies occurring in WR’s Mumbai division. Mobile phones were the most stolen commodity followed by currency. Using this information, the RPF has drawn up an action plan to reduce crime rates.Andheri topped the list with 3,757 cases out of 16,700 passenger property-related crimes reported last year. Andheri station also has the highest footfall among WR’s suburban section with 6.5 lakh commuters using the station every day due to its strategic location and connectivity with Mumbai Metro and the harbour line. Borivli had the second highest number of thefts and robberies—2,892 cases—reported in 2018.Earlier this year, a 25-yearold commuter nearly lost his life when he was dragged under a train by a fleeing phone thief at Borivli.After Andheri and Borivli, Bandra reported over 2,800 cases, Malad 1,797 and Dadar 1,371 last year.In 2017 as well, Andheri station followed by Borivli station reported the highest passenger property-related crime on WR. The deployment of security personnel at each of the five stations identified in the study will be reworked. “Our plan is to deploy RPF personnel at every entrance/exit without affecting inflow and outflow of commuters. It will act as a deterrent to criminal elements,” said S R Gandhi, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF (WR). Each of these personnel will be armed with a dossier of habitual offenders and will be instructed to look out for them.“Technology plays a major role in solving thefts and robberies of cell phones. Our officers have recently undergone a training workshop in call data record (CDR) analysis,” a senior officer said. “Our goal is to bring down crime rates by at least 30-40% and increase detection rates,” he added.The RPF also plans a major awareness campaign with interactive screens at important stations to give tips to commuters on how to look after their valuables. Officers will also go to colleges to interact with youngsters on the topic.

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