Panaji, Jul 13 (IBNS): The Goa Police have recorded the highest robbery, dacoity and theft cases against the tourists in the last four years, official figures show.
 
A report tabled by the state Home Department in the legislative assembly on Friday revealed that since year 2009 a total of 452 crimes were booked at various police stations out of which 312 cases were related to thefts, burglaries and dacoities.
 
“In 2009, the police department registered 94 criminal cases, of which 61 were thefts, burglaries and dacoities. In 2010, out of 163 cases, 120 were thefts,” the figures published in the government report reveal.
 
“In 2011, 129 cases were booked out of which 94 were of similar nature. This year, atleast 66 cases related to tourists have been reported of which 37 are thefts, robberies and dacoities,” the report further reads.
 
The report also said police have identified several tourist locations and markets where the criminals frequent to target tourists, especially foreigners.
 
The police department has drawn a plan to nail the culprits. Routine checks are underway and suspicious people are being frisked, it stated.
 
The records further show that in many cases the complainants go back to their native states or countries because of which the investigations are closed.
 
Just a couple of months ago, UK government had issued an advisory to its tourists visiting Goa warning of thefts, robberies, bag-snatching, and even sexual assaults.

The government will shortly submit a proposal to the Union Ministry to install more than 100 CCTV cameras at important areas across the state to ensure water tight security.

(Reporting by John Edwards)