LAHORE: Capital city police have claimed reduction in crime rate during the last year with arrests of over 5,000 alleged robbers and recovery of valuables worth Rs1.25 billion. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran attributed the reduction in crime last year to the sacrifices of police martyrs and heroes. He said six officers were martyred and 10 others were critically injured in the line of duty without showing any concern for their lives. He said up to 58 suspected robbers were killed and 111 others were arrested and injured by the city police in 125 encounters during 2024. Sharing further details, the DIG Operations revealed that 5,606 members of 2,519 gangs were arrested and sent to jail during the past year. He said the stolen property worth over Rs1.25bn was recovered, including 143 tolas of gold, 5,798 motorcycles, 34 cars, 171 other vehicles, and 4,470 mobile phones. Additionally, 129 Kalashnikovs, 490 rifles, 301 shotguns, 6,951 pistols, and thousands of bullets were seized. Investigations into these gangs also helped trace 12,345 cases. The DIG Operations further emphasised that keeping habitual offenders in jail is essential for a genuine reduction in crime.