Bhubaneswar, Dec. 6: Businessmen at Saheed Nagar are worried over frequent burglaries taking place in the area.

In the latest incident, burglars fled with computers and tablets worth Rs 5 lakh from a shop there on Wednesday night.

On the night of November 26, thieves broke into a mobile phone store there and took off with handsets worth Rs 30 lakh and Rs 70,000 in cash.

Local residents and the businessmen blamed poor night patrolling in the area for a spurt in such incidents.

“Saheed Nagar houses a number of business establishments. Consequently, burglars tend to target the area. However, we hardly see patrolling vans in our area at night,” said local resident Prasant Nayak.

Apart from cases of burglary, crimes such as sex trade and sale of liquor beyond the permissible time have also worried the residents here.

“Police seem clueless about the burglary incidents. The sale of liquor beyond permitted time has caused major problems in our area. The police, in connivance with the goons, have robbed us off our sleep. This despite Saheed Nagar being among the posh areas of the city,” said local councillor Padmanav Das.

On November 29, the police had busted a sex racket operating in the area and rescued nine women.

The local residents, however, had alleged that the police acted late and the flesh trade had been running for a long time.

The residents also pointed out the illegal sale of liquor in the area even late at night.

At a police-public interaction in August, the people had highlighted their concerns in this regard and demanded more police patrolling.

“We will intensify night patrolling in the area,” said police commissioner R.P. Sharma.