Women pickpockets target trade fair

NEW DELHI - Women thieves and pickpockets are having a field day at the India International Trade Fair (IITF).

According to police sources, gangs of women thieves and pickpockets from Delhi and neighbouring states were active at the Nov 14-27 fair.

“On the weekends they have a field day, with over one lakh people thronging the fair and many carrying cash. It is becoming difficult for us to keep a tab on them,” a police officer told IANS.

On Sunday, the fair saw a record footfall of over 1.5 lakh.

A senior police officer at the fair venue, Pragati Maidan, said most thieves and pickpockets were women, and they worked in a well-organised and systematic manner.

According to police sources, while three to five complaints are brought before them every day, it is possible that many cases go unreported — one reason being the theft is discovered only after reaching home.

Some victims blamed police laxity for the menace.

“I caught two women red-handed stealing the purse of my daughter on Wednesday. When we went to policemen, no one bothered to help us. But we gave a complaint at the Tilak Marg police station,” Naresh Kumar, a visitor, told IANS.

Denying laxity, Menakshi Sharma, a duty officer at the temporary Pragati Maidan police station near Gate 5, said that around 5,000 police personnel were on duty Sunday.

“About 25 police personnel are deployed in each pavilion in civil dress,” she said.