There have been only 12 cases of motorbike theft filed at police stations in Arakan State this year despite anecdotal evidence of frequent motorbike thefts statewide, according to the Myanmar Police Force in the state.

Six of 12 cases were solved and the remaining six are under investigation, Police Major Myo Win from the Myanmar Police Force in Arakan State told DMG.

“Motorbike theft is increasing in the state. The population of the state is crowded now and some people are derelicts. Some are migrant people. And, people are facing difficulties with livelihoods during the Covid-19 pandemic. So, theft is increasing, I think,” he said.

He added that the police force, government departments and members of the public should work together to eliminate motorbike theft.

“Some people lost their motorbikes while they parked their motorbikes at roadsides or at restaurants. Some motorbikes were stolen while the owner left it at a location near the beach and walked far away from it,” he said.

“People need to keep their property safe, while policemen are seeking to catch the thieves, '' he added.

There are two primary reasons that people do not report motorbike theft to police, according to one recent victim.

“The first reason is that the owner did not register their motorbike. Second reason is that most thieves are minors; they were released [from jail due to a previous alleged crime] when their parents paid bail. So, they commit theft again. I think illegal pawn shops should be supervised to facilitate the arrest of motorbike thieves,” said Ko Zaw Min Than, whose two motorbikes were stolen.

There were 39 reported motorbike thefts statewide in 2020, 14 of which resulted in prosecution, 19 that were closed and six of which remain under investigation, according to the Myanmar Police Force in Arakan State.