The capital city is witnessing a noticeable drop in street crime during the ongoing football World Cup, with police and residents reporting a sharp decline in snatching, theft and other offences across several key neighbourhoods, including Mohammadpur.
In areas once associated with evening fear of muggings, late-night public gatherings around football screenings have transformed the urban landscape.
Large screens set up at intersections, neighbourhood grounds and alleyways are drawing crowds that remain outdoors until the early hours, watching matches and socialising.
Police data suggests that reported incidents of snatching, theft, assault and robbery have fallen in multiple parts of the capital since the tournament began.
In Mohammadpur, one of the most closely watched areas, officers say criminal complaints have dropped significantly over the past month.
Officials attribute the shift to increased night-time public presence and intensified police patrols around screening venues and busy junctions. With more people on the streets late into the night, they say opportunities for street crime have reduced.
Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mezbah Uddin said only three theft cases were filed in the past month, with no reported incidents of snatching. “As people remain awake late into the night, such incidents have decreased,” he said.
Adabor Police Station OC Md Jahidul Islam echoed the observation, saying patrols had been strengthened around football viewing spots. “At the same time, as people stay out later, complaints of theft and snatching have fallen significantly,” he said.
Mirpur Model Police Station OC Md Hafizur Rahman and Kamrangirchar Police Station OC Golam Faruk said their jurisdictions recorded no cases of snatching or robbery in June, adding that even informal complaints had declined.
The World Cup, being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has led to most matches airing in Bangladesh between midnight and early morning, fuelling a surge in night-time gatherings across the city.
Residents say the shift is visible on the ground. Mohammadpur resident Nakibur Rahman said he had recently taken his family to watch a match at Dhaka University’s TSC and returned home at dawn without fear.
“We saw people everywhere on the streets. It felt safe in a way that was previously unimaginable,” he said. North South University student Jabin Tahsin said the change had altered daily routines. “Earlier, I used to feel anxious even returning home around 9pm. Now I can return safely even at midnight,” he said.
However, some residents remain cautious about interpreting the trend as a permanent improvement, arguing that criminals may also be adapting their routines around the football schedule.
At the beginning of June, student Araf Khan was robbed at knifepoint in Middle Badda, an incident that had left him fearful of going out at night. He said the situation has since improved, though concerns remain.
Dhaka University Assistant Professor Touhidul Haque of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research said sustained community presence, alongside policing, could play a long-term role in crime reduction.
“Alongside the police, continued cautious public presence and social resistance can act as an effective social force in controlling crime in the future,” he said.
