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Railway and police go undercover to derail thieves who target tourists
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Undercover operations a success, says the Railway Protection Force. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
By Kasun Warakapitiya
The Railways Department’s protection force and police have launched a special joint undercover operation to ensure the safety of foreign tourists travelling on trains.
Anura Premaratne
The move follows a request of the Tourist Development Board in anticipation of an influx of seasonal visitors.
The Railways Department is using its security division, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), which is carrying out undercover operations with the police following complaints from foreigners regarding their loss of baggage, hand luggage as well as cash and belongings.
The Superintendent of the RPF, Anura Premaratne told the Sunday Times: “The thieves take advantage of foreigners who are mild mannered and not used to being deceived. They know most won’t return to find their lost items.’’
He said those who rob foreigners fail to realise the consequences of creating a bad impression of the country, which then negatively affects tourism.
Sumith Gonzalwaz
Mr. Premaratne also said that the railway protection force is understaffed with just 311 officers whereas the full force should be 719.
He urged authorities to give priority to fill these vacancies.
The Deputy Superintendent of RPF, Sumith Gonsalwez said the railway protection force had teamed up with the tourist police and assigned officers in civvies. Mr. Gonsalwez said that they maintain a Whatsapp group to stay in touch with officers. When an arrest is made they could inform the nearest police station and the area police could be present at the next railway station to arrest suspects.
Some uniformed officers are also ready to assist.
Timo Honegger
The Sunday Times learned that an organised group of thieves is targeting foreigners. They distract foreigners and switch their bags, snatch and run away with the belongings.
The Senior Deputy Inspector In charge of Tourist Police, Asanka Karavita said that an organised group is involved.
Since many thefts have been reported from aboard trains the tourist police and railways have proposed ways to avert such incidents; including assigning police in civvies for surveillance, he said.
“If a suspect is arrested by police, the suspect would be handed over to the area police.’’
An officer involved in the programme, and who did not want to be named, said, that initially they have been successful in detecting a number of incidents and hence seen a drop in thefts of tourists’ belongings.
The number of tourists travelling by train has increased over the years and many of them have confidence they are safe.
Timo Honegger, 35, a Swiss national who arrived in Sri Lanka with his wife and two children, said that he felt quite safe travelling in a train even though their train trip to Ahangama is their first time.
Another tourist from Germany, Anne Z, said even though she is going alone to Matara she feels safe and is delighted that there is a special programme to ensure security of tourists. She is planning to spend three weeks in Sri Lanka.
Keeping a tab: The RPF's whatsapp group
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