The police claim to have busted as many as 23 gangs involved in vehicular thefts, robberies and snatching incidents last year.

Superintendent of Police Sandeep Khirwar, however, said the increase in the figures did not mean there was an increase in the crime rate, but it was because of the free and fair registration of cases.

While the number of thefts has increased from 243 to 427, that of snatchings showed a slight downward trend, with the figure falling from 54 in 2007 to 52 in 2008.

The figures of robbery almost doubled in 2008, while the number of murders was 17, one down from the 2007 figure.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Rajesh Kalia said: “If there is an increase in the crime figures, there has also been an increase in the detection of crime. The police busted seven gangs of vehicle thieves, four gangs of robbers, five of snatchers, two of thieves and five gangs of burglars. The total recovery was to the tune of Rs 1,43,12,570.”

He added that more efforts would be made to put a check on the crime rate.