Patna, April 16: Bihar roads are not only prone to accidents but also vulnerable to crime activities.

Alarmed over the spurt in the incidents of crime on the national highways passing through Bihar, the state police headquarters has asked the superintendents of police to intensify patrolling on the busy roads.

Statistics compiled by the state crime record bureau revealed that Patna topped the list of the incidents of road robbery in 2010.

The state capital recorded 100 incidents of road robbery, followed by Gaya (68), Rohtas (59), Muzaffarpur (52) and Araria (48). A total 1,050 incidents of road robbery were reported in the state last year.

As far as the incidents of road dacoities are concerned, Rohtas, from where the Grand Trunk Road passes, registered the maximum cases.

Altogether 24 cases of road dacoities were registered at different police stations of Rohtas district. Patna was placed second with 18 cases, followed by Muzaffarpur (17) and Gaya (14) respectively. A total 207 cases of road dacoities were lodged in 2010.

In 2009, altogether 962 cases of road robbery were registered in the state. Patna had again topped the list with 83 cases of road robbery reported at different police stations of the district, followed by Saran (58), Gaya (57) and Rohtas (37) respectively.

A total 201 cases of road dacoities were reported during 2009.

While Patna recorded the maximum 22 cases, Gaya recorded one less incident (17) and was placed second, followed by Rohtas and Munger which reported 11 incidents each.

Since January this year, 149 incidents of road robbery and 11 incidents of road dacoity have been reported.

Bihar director-general of police (DGP) Neel Mani said that instructions have been issued to all the superintendents of the police to intensify patrolling on the national highways.

“The police headquarters is working on a detailed plan to contain the incidents of highway crime in the state,” he said. The SPs have been asked to coordinate with each other for the purpose, the DGP added.

The DGP said since the incidents of road robbery and dacoity mostly take place at night, the police officials have been asked to keep a close surveillance on the activities of the gangs involved in hijacking of trucks and killing of drivers and cleaners.

“Many criminals gangs involved in highway crime have been busted in the recent past. There is need to intensify patrolling on the busy roads at night,” he said, adding that the SPs have been told to ensure that the wireless sets installed at the police stations located on the highways worked round the clock.

The DGP said that additional vehicles have been provided to the districts for carrying out round-the-clock patrolling on the highways.

“Instructions have been given to equip the vehicles engaged in highway patrolling with medical kits. It is the police, who reach the spot first at the time of an accident on the highways. The first aid on the spot can save the life of many people,” he added.

The police personnel engaged in highway patrolling have been imparted training for providing medical treatment to the accident victims, the DGP said.

A separate police team headed by an SP-rank officer has been constituted to keep tabs on the GT road, sources said.

The team comprising personnel of the special auxiliary police and the district armed police would be based at Gaya and look after the areas falling under Gaya, Rohtas and Aurangabad districts, the DGP added.