Mumbai’s local trains, often dubbed the city’s lifeline, have become a soft target for thieves. Alarming statistics reveal that on average, 135 commuters lose their mobile phones to theft each week — many of these incidents occurring despite the presence of the Government Railway Police (GRP).
According to a report, since 2022, the Mumbai Railway Police have registered a total of 37,398 mobile theft cases. However, only 16,154 cases have been solved so far, meaning around 57% of the cases remain unsolved. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of surveillance and patrolling by the railway police.
What is even more concerning is that most thefts are taking place at stations that are considered “high-risk zones” — areas that are supposed to have the heaviest police presence. Major stations like Kurla and Kalyan witness two to three mobile thefts daily, yet the role of the police stationed there is increasingly under scrutiny.
The thieves operate with remarkable precision. Most of the crimes occur when commuters are boarding or alighting in crowded conditions. Victims often realize their phones are missing only after leaving the train. Consequently, First Information Reports (FIRs) are registered at the station where the theft is discovered, not where it actually occurred, making it harder to identify the real crime scene.
While the GRP claims to have apprehended suspects in some cases and recovered several stolen phones, the ground reality paints a different picture.
Less than Half the Cases Solved
In 2023 alone, 12,989 mobile theft cases were reported, out of which only 5,422 were solved. So far in 2025, 3,508 cases have been registered, but only 1,411 mobile phones have been recovered.
Although the GRP asserts that it has increased patrolling, is using CCTV footage, and monitoring known offenders, the continued spate of thefts suggests that these measures are far from effective. For commuters, the menace of mobile theft remains a daily risk — and for now, the police response appears more reactive than preventive.
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