Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka is witnessing a sharp increase in incidents of car part theft, with organised gangs reportedly targeting both parked and moving vehicles across various parts of the city, including residential areas and commercial zones.
In recent years, the trend of stealing parts from moving vehicles has also become alarmingly common in Dhaka, particularly during traffic jams and signal halts.
This petty yet dangerous crime is catching commuters off guard and raising deeper concerns about urban safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Police and residents report that car batteries, side mirrors, wheels, headlights, and fog lamps are among the most frequently stolen parts.
Thieves are known to operate even in moderately busy areas under the watch of surveillance systems—often in broad daylight.
Law enforcement officials estimate that more than 50 organised groups are involved in stealing and reselling car parts.
Most of the stolen items reportedly end up in second-hand markets in places such as Dholaikhal and Bangshal, where they are sold to workshops and garages—often without any documentation.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) acknowledged the rising trend and said they have stepped up surveillance, urging car owners to take precautions and report incidents promptly.
Victims and motorists have increasingly turned to social media to vent their frustration, highlighting the frequency of such thefts and what many see as a lack of meaningful follow-up by authorities.
In several cases, complainants said police reports were filed but no further action followed.
Car owners have been advised by police to install battery locks, wheel nut locks, GPS trackers and alarm systems, and to avoid parking in poorly lit or unsecured areas.
The DMP says it has launched awareness campaigns and targeted operations to identify and arrest members of these organised syndicates.
This spike in theft comes amid a broader rise in both petty and organised crime in the capital, prompting renewed calls for better community policing and expanded surveillance infrastructure.
A senior officer from the Detective Branch (DB) of DMP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said nearly 200 complaints of car-part theft were received over the past three months. “These are not isolated incidents,” the officer said.
“We suspect at least 40 to 50 organised groups are operating across Dhaka. They use motorcycles or small cars to scout for targets, and some even pose as mechanics or vendors to avoid suspicion," he said.
Residents of Dhanmondi, Uttara, Mohammadpur and Mirpur have all reported incidents in recent weeks.
CCTV footage from some areas has shown thieves dismantling parts within minutes.
Victims voice frustration
Many car owners have expressed disappointment over what they describe as a “casual attitude” by police in responding to reports.
“It happened in front of my apartment at 8:30 am. The side mirrors were gone by the time I came out,” said Mohammad Faisal, a resident of Bashundhara R/A.
“I filed a complaint at the local police station, but nothing happened. They didn’t even ask for CCTV footage," he said.
Others spoke of repeated financial loss. “A set of original fog lamps for my car costs over Tk 15,000. This is the second time I’m replacing them in six months,” said Sharmeen Haque, a schoolteacher living in Gulshan.
The DMP has urged the public to report such incidents either to the national emergency helpline 999 or via its official complaint portal.
Gulistan traffic jam: A hotspot for car part thefts
Commuters passing through the busy Gulistan area say they are increasingly falling victim to car part theft, especially during heavy traffic congestion and signal stops.
Reports have emerged of valuable exterior components such as side mirrors, windshield wipers, and emblems being snatched in daylight, particularly in areas around Bangabandhu National Stadium, Golap Shah Mazar, Zero Point and the entrances to the underground market.
Witnesses say the perpetrators, often in pairs or small groups, take advantage of stationary vehicles to swiftly remove parts and disappear into the crowds.
“I was waiting for the signal to turn green near Golap Shah Mazar when two boys approached pretending to sell tissues. One distracted me while the other snatched the left side mirror and ran,” said Sabuj Khan, an employee at a private company.
“I only realised the mirror was missing after reaching the office," he said.
Law enforcement agencies have acknowledged these thefts and said measures are being taken to increase patrols and improve police response.
Transport associations and experts say stolen parts are often resold within hours in nearby used-parts markets, making recovery difficult.
Due to the limited presence of CCTV and the chaotic nature of traffic areas, police have recommended vehicle owners install dash cameras and use anti-theft locks for easily removable parts.
“I was stuck near the Golap Shah Mazar light for barely two minutes. When I reached my office, I saw the entire mirror on the left side was gone,” said Saidul Islam, a private bank employee.
While police stations in Shahbagh and Paltan receive regular complaints, enforcement remains a challenge due to crowding and logistical limitations.
Officials, however, said that plainclothes patrols have been increased in high-risk traffic zones.
“Public cooperation and video evidence from dash cams can help us identify culprits,” said a senior DMP official.
