All police stations across the city have been asked to remain alert against snatchers, especially in the morning and the evening, when hundreds of Calcuttans step out for their daily dose of fresh air, officers said.

Walking has turned out to be a popular work-out during the pandemic, as gyms were closed during the lockdown, and it has become more important to maintain vigil on parks and lakes where people usually gather for their daily walk.

Anti-rowdy officers of the police stations have been asked to remain alert against criminals in their respective areas to ensure safety of morning and evening walkers.

“Senior officers have observed that deployment is thin at lakes and parks, which are popular among walkers. So, all anti-rowdy officers have been asked to remain alert,” said an officer posted in the south-east division.

The instructions came a day after a complaint of snatching was reported in north Calcutta on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of citizens are opting for morning or evening walk to stay fit during the pandemic.

“I have been working from home for the last three months. The gym at my housing complex is yet to open. I was never an early riser. But now I have started jogging in the morning,” said Rahul Pramanik, a resident of south Calcutta who visits Rabindra Sarobar every morning.

The night motorcycle patrol of every police station that has parks and lakes in its area is deployed on early morning duty at the walk spots. Cops are usually posted near lakes and parks between 5am and 7.30am.

In the evening, at least two police cops of the rank of assistant sub-inspector and constable are entrusted with the security of walkers.
Despite phases of unlocking, many roads are deserted because lack of customers prompts shopkeepers to down their shutters after sundown.

“Earlier, I would take a walk at Vivekananda Park, off Southern Avenue, every evening. But these days the entire Southern Avenue is deserted in the evening. I no longer feel safe to walk in the evening. So, I now visit the park in the morning,” said Debojyoti Choudhury, a 67-year-old resident of Hindustan Park.

Officers said elderly people were most vulnerable. “It is easy to trick them and rob them of their valuables,” an officer said.