Panchkula: Approximately one motor vehicle is stolen daily on an average in Panchkula. What is worse is that of the total stolen vehicles, only about 26.64% of them were recovered, according to the vehicle lifting and recovery data of the last five years.According to the latest data provided by Panchkula Police, a total of 1,520 vehicle thefts were reported from 2021 through April 2025 (0.96 vehicles per day), with 405 vehicles recovered, yielding an overall recovery rate of 26.64%.In 2021, 266 vehicles were reported stolen. This number surged to 409 in 2022 — the highest in the five-year period. Although thefts slightly dropped to 357 in 2023 and 346 in 2024, the first four months of 2025 have already recorded 142 cases, putting the year on track to exceed 420 thefts if the trend continues — a potential five-year high.Year-by-year analysis reveals a decline in recovery efficiency in recent years. While the local police managed to recover 30.45% of stolen vehicles in 2021, and slightly more in 2022 (30.56%), the following years show a steady decline. The recovery rate dropped to 26.34% in 2023, then sharply down to 20.52% in 2024. Early 2025 figures show a slight improvement at 23.94%, but still far below the early years. The data points to a need for enhanced vehicle tracking, faster response protocols, and public awareness campaigns to improve recovery outcomes.Nirmal Singh, inspector crime branch, Panchkula Police, told TOI that earlier, gangs used to operate, so at one point of arrest, even 40 to 50 vehicles used to get recovered. Now, vehicle lifting has shifted to individuals, who are mostly doing it for drugs, making the recovery of vehicles difficult. Even if a thief is caught, two to three bikes get recovered. Mostly, such thieves take out the body parts and sell them to scrap dealers. The police last week directed all scrap dealers not to buy stolen items, else action will be taken against them. The police have also appealed to people to check all documents while buying a second-hand vehicle to ensure it is not a stolen one.The police said mostly two-wheelers, particularly Activas, are stolen in Panchkula. Most such thefts take place at Yavnika Garden, Sector 5. It has three gates and three open parking lots, making it an easy spot for vehicle lifters. The civil hospital area is another vulnerable area. Many people who park outside the hospital are at more risk. Other open unmanned parking lots are also easy targets for vehicle lifters.The hot spots for vehicle lifting are Yavnika Garden, Sector 5, civil hospital, Sector 6, and other open unmanned parking lots| Year | Thefts | Recoveries |I 2025 (up to Apr 30) | 142 | 34 || 2024 | 346 | 71 || 2023 | 357 | 94 || 2022 | 409 | 125 || 2021 | 266 | 81 |Total: 1520; 405
