Police had registered 35 cases of theft and around 30 cases of chain snatching and small-scale burglary in 2012/13, and 25 cases of  theft and around 30 cases of chain snatching and small-scale burglary in 2013/14, most of which

took place in the area.

But this year, only three cases of chain snatching and small scale robbery were registered so far, according to Metropolitan Police Sector in Sanepa. “Theft and burglary cases have decreased to a great extent. So much so, we have not had a person in our lock-up for about a month now,” Inspector Surendra Shrestha said.

According to Shrestha, collaboration with locals has been effective in curbing crimes in the locality. “If they find something fishy, they promptly inform us. This new alliance has done wonders in controlling crime,” he said.

Local youths have started cooperating with police to tackle crimes plaguing the neighbourhood. “We were getting several complaints of robbery and chain

snatching every week before a year or two, but now we have been able to curb such activities to a large extent,” said Sandan Thapa Magar, chairman of Jhamsikhel Youth Club.

He said most cases of chain snatching and burglary involved drug addicts

and unemployed youths.

Local clubs are organising awareness and rehabilitation programmes to treat the addicts in the area.

“Introducing sports to the troubled youth has also prevented them from drug addiction and being involved in criminal activities,” Thapa said.

Rajesh Maharjan, secretary of the Community Police, also hailed the locals-police collaboration to check criminal activities in the locality. “Such partnership is beneficial for both the residents and police. Other troubled neighbourhoods should also initiate this. It has worked for Jhamsikhel, it should also work for them,” he said.