IRCs and pickpockets nabbed in shopping malls

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

Several plainclothes police women along with their male counterparts have been detailed in shopping areas such as Pettah, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Wellawate to keep an eye on pickpockets where large numbers of shoppers congregate.

“From the day the operation commenced we have arrested around 20-30 persons against whom warrants have been issued by various courts.

These persons have been absconding the police. Others include several Re-convicted Criminals (IRC’s) who were finger printed and released .” the DIG said.

Police stations in the Colombo city launched a special operation during the festive season to round-up pickpockets, and criminals who fleece gullible shoppers thronging shopping malls and pavements where hawkers sell merchandise.

The operation was launched on December 19 and will continue till New Year festivities are over, the Deputy Inspector General(DIG) of Colombo S.A.D.A. Gunewardena told the Sunday Observer.

He said policemen and police women drawn from Police stations in Colombo have been detailed for the operation supported by mobile radio car patrols around the clock. Meanwhile, police request shoppers to be mindful of wallets and bags that contain cash while shopping and report any suspicious character to police emergency number 2433333 or to policemen on duty.