(KPL) Bag snatching occurs on an everyday basis in the Vientiane area and many of the culprits are amphetamine addicts, said the Vientiane Capital police yesterday.
A police spokesman here told KPL news yesterday that they are planning to increase the number of policemen to the team that is working to suppress the theft and bag snatching gangs.
Last week an incident occurred at the Chinese Shangchieng market in the T2 road and Luang Prabang road area as thieves tried to snatch Ms Kha’s hand bag when she was riding her motorcycle.
She said that when she was riding her motorcycle she saw two persons following her and she thought they were customers who were leaving the Chinese Shangchieng market like her.
Much to her surprise they kicked her vehicle and she was brought down. At this point the thieves tried to grab her bag but she held on to it for dear life.
By then some people saw what was happening and came to her assistance. The thieves took to their feet and Miss Kha was relieved that she did not lose her hand bag.
Speaking to a KPL reporter after the incident, Miss Kha, 25 called on the police to station more policemen at places of high risks such as Setthathirath Road, Luang Prabang Road, and T 2 Road to ensure safety for members of the public. As the bag snatchers operated when they were riding motorcycles and targeted their victims who were also on mobile motorcycles, there were cases of the victims not only losing their bags but also their lives.
Mr Bountieng Chanhthamounkhoun, Vice-Chief of Police, Vientiane Capital disclosed that there are many problems in Vientiane today, such as bag snatching and stealing and these are partly due to the worsening economic situation.
He said that many of the members of such gangs were amphetamine addicts. Police are working to solve this problem
