Mugging has long been a concern in Dhaka, particularly after dark. However, in recent times, they have been striking in broad daylight, too, armed with machetes, knives, and other weapons. Their targets include shops, pedestrians, rickshaw passengers, and commuters stuck in traffic. Those who resist often suffer serious injuries or even death. This alarming trend has created a climate of fear and insecurity among the residents of the city, raising urgent concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement.

On February 8, the government launched a special initiative called Operation Devil Hunt, a joint force operation aimed at curbing unrest and ensuring public safety nationwide. While commendable, such initiatives should prompt deeper reflection on the root causes of street crime. Why do people commit these crimes? What underlying factors drive individuals towards criminal activity? Understanding these issues is crucial for formulating long-term solutions that effectively prevent and address street crimes.

In recent years, a growing body of research has examined the links between economic factors and crimes. Crime is rooted in concrete social and economic conditions—deprivation, joblessness, discrimination, poverty, and social marginalisation. Street crime is often an inevitable by-product of inequality and injustice within the existing social and economic system. At its core, crime is a product of desperation born from a system that consigns millions to poverty, forces them to live in deteriorating environments, and leaves them with little hope for a better future.

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Real change or more of the same?

Criminal behaviour thrives when a nation fails to provide for the well-being of its citizens. According to the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2023, the country's population stands at 17.15 crore, with 39.88 percent of youth (aged 15-24 years) neither studying nor working. Approximately 20 percent of the population still lives below the poverty line, with limited access to essential services. However, many experts argue that the actual poverty rate is much higher. Research also shows that income inequality is widening, with the wealthiest 10 percent controlling 40 percent of national income, while the bottom 50 percent holding just 19.05 percent.

Additionally, rising inflation has worsened the struggles of low-income earners in Bangladesh. The prices of daily essentials have consistently increased, in contrast to the global trend of declining prices. A recent World Bank report highlights that 71 percent of families have been affected by rising food prices, meaning nearly 2.91 crore households face food insecurity. In such circumstances, the most vulnerable often turn to petty crimes like mugging, theft, and drug dealing as survival tactics. Social scientists argue that when survival is at stake, criminal activities may seem like opportunities rather than risky, and crime becomes normalised rather than seen as a deviant act.

I believe two other factors are also fuelling the crisis of rising street crimes in Bangladesh. First, the role of politicians in criminal networks significantly exacerbates street-level crimes. Many politicians are known to control or patronise extortion networks, drug trafficking rings, and youth gangs. Reports suggest that some politicians directly benefit from extortion schemes, with businesses often forced to pay "protection money" to individuals affiliated with political parties. Law enforcement agencies frequently turn a blind eye to such activities, further emboldening these criminal enterprises. This involvement enables politicians to consolidate power at the grassroots level, using criminal groups to intimidate opponents and manipulate elections.

Second, high-profile corruption cases have recently exposed how ministers, top officials, law enforcement leaders, and politically connected businessmen have accumulated billions of dollars through fraudulent means, including bank loan scams. During the 15-plus years of Sheikh Hasina's regime, an estimated Tk 1.61 lakh crore to Tk 2.80 lakh crore was lost to corruption from the development projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). This money, obtained through political extortion, bribery, and inflated budgets, was often laundered abroad or reinvested domestically in untraceable sectors, such as real estate.

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Will the home adviser go big or go home?

The unchecked criminality of the upper class has profound psychological effects on society. When politicians and businessmen amass wealth through fraud, theft, and extortion without consequences, it erodes public trust in honest work. Seeing such impunity, marginalised individuals may feel justified in turning to petty crimes, believing that the system rewards corruption over integrity. The issue is further compounded by an ineffective and, at times, complicit law enforcement system. Many police officers are underpaid or politically pressured, becoming susceptible to corruption. Media reports indicate that police officials often take bribes to ignore criminal activities or, in some cases, actively facilitate crimes.

The rising street crimes in Bangladesh reflects a society in crisis—one where poverty, inequality, unemployment, and corruption intersect to create a toxic environment. Tackling this issue requires more than just stricter policing; it demands a comprehensive approach that addresses the root social and economic causes driving individuals towards crime. Expanding employment opportunities is crucial. Education and vocational training programmes should be prioritised, particularly in marginalised communities. At the same time, the government must take decisive action to hold corrupt politicians, high-profile government officials, and businesspeople accountable. Without justice at the top, it will be impossible to build a society where ordinary citizens feel compelled to follow the law.

Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. If the current trajectory of unchecked corruption and rising street crime continues, the country risks plunging deeper into social unrest. However, with meaningful reforms, there is still hope for a future where economic justice prevails and street crime is no longer a desperate response to systemic failure.

Abu Afsarul Haider is an entrepreneur. He can be reached at [email protected].

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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