As Dhaka becomes quieter during Eid vacations, incidents of snatching, theft, and robbery tend to rise, with many homes left unattended.
Despite extra security measures, police often struggle to maintain safety on the streets and in residential areas due to manpower shortages. Experts also point to a lack of willingness in the force, which limits efforts to safeguard public property.
Ahead of the Eid break, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Acting Commissioner M Sarwar advised residents to secure their homes before travelling to their hometowns.
At a press conference on Sunday, the police officer urged residents to lock doors and windows properly and store important documents in safe places. Police also suggested depositing valuables, such as gold, at local stations for safekeeping while away.
The statement has raised questions about the role of the capital’s law enforcement authorities.
The advisory reflects a long-standing pattern that has drawn criticism in the past. On 8 August 2012, then Home Minister Sahara Khatun similarly urged Dhaka residents to lock their homes ahead of Eid, remarks that were widely criticised.
Since then, capital police routinely issue similar warnings ahead of major holidays, repeatedly advising residents to take precautions before leaving the city.
Experts say residents should remain cautious about potential crime during the Eid holidays, but warn that such public statements from police could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
“When Dhaka becomes empty during the Eid holidays, criminals often look for opportunities amid what they perceive as weaker enforcement,” said Tawhidul Haque, Associate Professor and criminologist at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University.
He said ensuring the safety of people and their property was ultimately the responsibility of the police when residents were away.
“Police officers do perform their duties during Eid, often sacrificing time with their families,” he said. “But enforcement tends to weaken during the holidays.”
He added that police patrols on paper did not always reflect the situation on the ground.
“Many patrol vehicles remain stationed at the same location for hours instead of moving through neighbourhoods,” Haque said.
Asked whether such warnings could be interpreted by criminals as a sign of relaxed policing, former Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said he did not believe the comments would encourage crime.
“It is not correct to assume that the presence of police alone guarantees complete safety,” he said. “Individuals also have a role in protecting themselves and their property.”
He said police issued such advice primarily to raise public awareness about safety.
Dhaka police struggle with manpower
Security experts say maintaining safety in a megacity like Dhaka is a daunting challenge.
Bangladesh has just 127 police officers per 100,000 people, well below the UN-recommended standard of around 222 officers per 100,000.
According to the United Nations’ World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report, Dhaka has become the world’s second most populous city, with an estimated 33.6 million residents. The city’s police force, however, numbers only 34,000, meaning one officer is responsible for roughly 988 people.
Experts also note that morale has suffered in the wake of the July uprising, amid incidents of looted arms, ransacked police stations, and burning of police vehicles, further hampering the force’s capacity to maintain security.
