There are no biker gangs in city: Police

There are no organised 'biker gangs' but only criminals who use motorcycles to commit crimes.

This is what the Delhi Police has told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The police also said the term 'biker gang' is used by the media to describe criminals who use motorcycles in the commission of crime.

"It is generally seen that criminals prefer to use motorcycles to commit robberies and snatchings. Last year in July a few incidents involving criminals operating on motorcycles were highlighted by the media as crimes committed by biker gangs," said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

"The South Delhi Police neutralised Om Prakash alias Bunty, who extensively used motorcycles to commit crimes, in an encounter. After that the term is being used haphazardly."

The police have also told the MHA that in their effort to curb the number of motorcycle related robberies and snatchings, they have started a drive to register motorcycles through Division and Beat Officers at police stations.

The drive was started on February 18 this year, the police said. "This drive has helped us identify 142 people with criminal background, besides 102 criminals who were apprehended. This drive helped a lot in reducing motorcycle-related-crimes this year," added the officer.

The police started door-to-door verification drive of ownership of two-wheelers through beat staff.

"They check if the owner of the motorcycle has the means to afford it," he added.

According to Delhi Police records, 3, 74, 159 motorcycles have been verified so far.