Rise in Crime: All Crimes Increase by 6.16% in Seven Months

Staff Reporter

After the formation of an interim government through the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, overall crime in the country has increased by 6.16%. Incidents of robbery, snatching, piracy, and abduction have risen significantly. Murder cases have also increased. An analysis of crime statistics from the past seven months across the country reveals this trend.

From August 2024 to February 2025, a total of 13,496 crimes of seven categories were reported. During the same period in 2023-24, there were 12,714 such crimes, indicating a 6.16% overall increase in crime.

In the past seven months, there were 426 robberies, compared to 182 in the same period last year—a 134% increase. Piracy incidents rose to 1,038 from 735, marking a 41% increase.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the police system collapsed entirely. Since then, the deterioration of law and order has become a major concern. Among the seven categories of crime—robbery, piracy, abduction, murder, rape, theft, and burglary—robbery and piracy have seen the most alarming rise.

In response, cases are being filed under the Speedy Trial Act for snatching, alongside robbery and piracy cases.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam told the media that in the changed circumstances, some people have developed a tendency to disregard police authority and ignore legal directives, which criminals are exploiting.

The IGP added, “There is a trend of increasing crime in some areas. Additionally, many cases from previous crimes were filed after the uprising, which has also contributed to the rise in murder cases. We are focusing on identifying the causes of each crime and taking separate measures for different types of offenses.”

In the last two months, 146 robberies were reported nationwide, compared to 62 in the same period last year. Piracy incidents rose to 422 from 235 in January and February of the previous year.

The report also highlights a worrying increase in abductions. Over the past seven months, 548 abduction cases were reported, up from 294 in the same period last year—an 86% increase. In the last two months alone, 215 abductions occurred, compared to 94 in the same period last year. Abductions have been rising steadily since August 5, with 161 cases in September and October, and 141 in November and December.

Deputy Inspector General (Operations and Crime Management) Md. Rezaul Karim said, “We are prioritizing moving away from a culture of ignoring crimes or failing to take action. Strict instructions have been given to file cases for every crime at the field level.”

**Increase in Murder Cases**
Murder cases have risen abnormally in the past seven months. From August to February, 2,840 murder cases were reported nationwide, compared to 1,680 in the same period last year—a 69% increase.

A recent intelligence report highlighted five factors behind the post-uprising crime trend. The primary reason cited was the vacuum in law enforcement after the mass uprising. The second reason was the lack of morale among law enforcement agencies.

The third factor was the public’s temporary distrust in the law and criminals exploiting this opportunity. The report noted that the lack of activity by law enforcement agencies and public distrust in the justice system have led to an increase in law-breaking tendencies. Criminals are taking advantage of this to commit murders, robberies, piracy, and abductions.

Additionally, political vendettas, extortion, and violence were identified as contributing factors. The report stated that political disagreements, revenge-driven violence, looting, and extortion have exacerbated the crime rate and complicated the law and order situation.

Experts emphasize the need to ensure exemplary punishment for crimes to restore public confidence. They argue that it is more important to reassure people about their safety than to focus on whether crime statistics have increased or decreased.

Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, said, “Crime situations cannot always be assessed through statistics. Sometimes, a single incident can render all statistics irrelevant. Public perception must be considered, and criminals must be punished to ensure justice.”