Highway robbery rising rapidly

Roads and highways across the country including Dhaka city are emerging as major crime hotspots, with police data showing that more than 85 per cent of robbery cases recorded in August occurred on the roads, exposing travellers to heightened security risks.

Of 154 robbery cases recorded nationwide that month, 131 took place on roads, according to Police Headquarters data. The figures raise questions about the effectiveness of preventive policing, particularly on isolated stretches where travellers remain vulnerable to armed attacks.

An analysis of 131 robbery incidents found that 65 occurred between 2am and dawn, while another 31 took place between midnight and 2am. Together, these accounted for more than 73 per cent of the incidents examined.

The concentration of attacks during these hours suggests that criminals exploit periods of reduced traffic and limited access to immediate assistance, although the available data do not establish whether insufficient patrols are directly responsible.

Police records show that 387 robbery cases and 1,374 snatching cases were recorded nationwide between January 1 and September 30.

*    154 robbery cases recorded in August
*    Most took place between midnight to dawn

At least 15 locations along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway have been identified as vulnerable to robbery and snatching. These include Signboard, Kanchpur Bridge and Mograpara in Narayanganj; Daudkandi and Chauddagram in Cumilla; and Kumira, Sitakunda and Bhatiari in Chattogram.

Attackers reportedly use iron pipes, bricks and makeshift barricades to force vehicles to slow down before threatening passengers and stealing valuables.

Recent incidents underscore the risks. On October 26, masked robbers allegedly targeted 50 to 60 vehicles in two attacks on the Eidgaon-Cox’s Bazar road, stealing cash, mobile phones and jewellery. Police said two suspects were arrested the following day.

On October 9, armed men travelling on motorcycles allegedly intercepted a vehicle on the Sreepur-Gosinga road in Gazipur and looted Tk 3 crore from a bKash distributor after firing several shots.

Similar attacks were reported around Kumira and Bhatiari on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on October 8 and 9.

The recurrence of attacks raises questions about whether authorities are effectively coordinating intelligence, patrol deployment and investigations to dismantle gangs operating across district boundaries.

Additional Inspector General of Police Khondaker Rafiqul Islam has directed police units to investigate links between robbery gangs, examine suspects’ possible involvement in multiple cases and monitor accused persons released on bail.

Muntasirul Islam Additional Deputy Inspector General of Highway Police said robberies and snatching were more common on regional roads than on major highways. He added that official Highway Police records did not indicate an increase in highway robberies.

He said incidents tended to rise during festivals, when expatriates return home, and during winter. Highway Police has increased preventive measures, including foot patrols, checkpoints and surveillance, he added.

However, the apparent difference between nationwide police statistics and Highway Police records warrants clarification, particularly regarding jurisdiction, offence classification and reporting periods.

The central question remains whether authorities can move beyond arrests after attacks and demonstrate that preventive measures are reducing crime. Patrol deployment records, investigation outcomes, conviction rates and verified hotspot data would help establish how effectively the threat is being addressed.