Police launched a campaign, distributing safety leaflets, in a bid to curb crime during Eid holidays in the city.
Police planned the campaign as most of the city dwellers are leaving for their village homes to celebrate Eid.
The leaflet, titled "Safety first", sets out a number of precautionary measures which trippers can take before leaving their homes, as well as advises on what they should do to have a safe journey.
It starts with some simple instructions like the need to switch off lights and fans before leaving homes and to ensure that gas stoves and water taps are not leaking.
The leaflet then urges trippers to move important documents and valuables to safer places and instruct security guards and tenants of their houses to not allow strangers into the premises without verifying identifications.
"Risk of robbers, burglars and break-ins are higher during big festivals," said police, "everyone needs to be vigilant and take some simple precautions to avoid being robbed."
"The idea is to spread the message to as many people as possible, giving a reminder of what to do and not to do," added police.
Around 10 lakh copies of the leaflet have been circulated to households, shops, businesses and among people in different areas of the city.
The leaflet warns businesspeople not to keep cash on their stores in shopping malls or markets, stressing on the need to ensure that sales persons or security guards of the store is reliable.
"Be extra careful when carrying cash. Use a private car or police protection if required," it urges.
This is the first time the police has launched such a campaign ahead of the country's biggest religious festival.
Tejgaon police said the festival season is high time for snatchers, robbers and swindlers especially from groups like the "ogyan" and "malam" parties, who are on the prowl.
"Citizens need to keep in mind that being careful and cautious about a few simple things will help them avoid any untoward incident," the police added.
The leaflet stresses how trippers should avoid carrying valuables with them while travelling at night and to keep car or bus windows closed while stuck in traffic jam.
It also features sections on safety issues that need to be considered while shopping at malls or leaving cars at parking spaces.
City dwellers welcomed the move.
"Although we usually know what kind of precautionary measures to take, these leaflets would be a useful reminder for many," said Sadeque Hossain from Tejgaon.
"The police should play a major role in creating awareness about security issues and this is a good example," he said.
Copies of the leaflets are available in police stations and would be distributed to more city areas through newspaper hawkers, said police sources.
Sorce: thedailystar.net
