Bengaluru supermarkets ban masks to curb rising thefts
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, masks became a staple in public spaces.
However, in Bengaluru, this trend has taken a surprising turn.
Several supermarkets have now prohibited customers from wearing masks due to a surge in thefts.
According to some employees at a supermarket chain, their stores suffered significant losses, with items worth ₹1.2 lakh stolen in the past month alone.
Across two of their outlets, the total loss reached ₹3 lakh. Despite having CCTV cameras installed, identifying the culprits proved difficult as their faces were hidden behind masks.
These thefts only came to light during the weekly audits, leaving store management frustrated and concerned.
When asked how these thefts are carried out, the supermarkets explained that the thieves often stash stolen goods in college bags or conceal them within their clothing.
At the checkout, they present only low-cost items for billing, while the stolen goods remain hidden.
Smaller stores, lacking the capacity to restrict bags at the entrance, are particularly vulnerable to these tactics. Despite the recurring thefts, supermarket employees hesitate to involve the police.
Stores noted that the stolen items usually amount to ₹1,000-2,000, which they believe wouldn’t prompt a serious response from law enforcement. Moreover, the thieves rarely return, making it difficult to track them.
A senior police officer acknowledged the challenge masks pose in identifying criminals. Post-pandemic, masks have become a common disguise not just for minor thieves but also for more serious criminals, including chain snatchers and robbers.
The officer mentioned that before COVID-19, culprits often wore helmets to avoid detection, but they could be identified when removing them. Now, with masks, evading capture has become easier.
The officer cited a case where a suspect in the Rameshwaram cafe bomb blast used a mask to conceal his identity.
The widespread use of masks has turned them into a tool for criminals, prompting some supermarkets to take drastic measures.
Image Credit: Tiven Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You may also like
Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wikipedia_Covid19_logo.png
Recent Posts
- RBI sets ₹9,820 as redemption price for SGB 2018-19 Series-VThe RBI issues these bonds on behalf of the Government of India.
- MiG-21 to retire: India bids farewell to its first supersonic fighterThe last operational MiG-21s, flown by the 23 Squadron, known as the Panthers, will take to the skies for one final flypast.
- Astra missile with indigenous RF seeker boosts India’s air combat edgeIndia has successfully tested its Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile with a fully indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, marking a major stride in self-reliant defence technology. The breakthrough enhances Astra’s precision, range, and autonomy in complex combat environments.
- RBI sets ₹9,820 as redemption price for SGB 2018-19 Series-V
What’s new at WeRIndia.com
News from 700+ sources
-
Bapatla District Collector bans Black Burley tobacco cultivation for this year
-
Andre, Excellent Lass, Laguna Seca, Alamgir, Mazal Tov and Whirlwind shine
-
Watch: Detonators, Gelatin sticks found at Bengaluru bus stand
-
L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad records 25% growth in ridership; revenue drops by 21%
-
Farokh Engineer, Clive Lloyd Honoured With Stands at Old Trafford
-
IMD Forecasts Heavy Rains in Telangana; Govt. Puts NDRF, SDRF on Alert
-
WeRIndia – A News Aggregator
Visit werindia.com for all types of National | Business | World | Politics | Entertainment | Health related news and much more..