Karachi Police has admitted to a sharp rise in street crimes across the city, citing rapid population growth as a key factor.

The acknowledgment came during a Sindh High Court hearing on a petition against rising street crime in which the SSP Central, SSP Malir, and SSP East submitted reports revealing alarming statistics about crime in their districts.

In Central District alone, 572 street criminals were arrested this year, with 324 police encounters resulting in the deaths of 32 suspects and injuries to 298 others. Additionally, 233 suspects were arrested after encounters.

Malir District reported 508 registered street crime cases in 2024, while Eastern District logged 945 incidents.

Police in the Eastern District recovered 117 mobile phones, over Rs 2.4 million in cash, 28 motorcycles, and 20 laptops, arresting 696 suspects in connection with street crimes.

SP East highlighted Karachi’s higher crime rates compared to other cities, attributing the trend to the city’s expanding population.

The court has adjourned the case for four weeks, instructing police authorities to present further updates on their efforts to combat street crime.