Crime in Bangladesh rose significantly in 2025, with cases of theft, robbery, snatching, dacoity, and abduction registering marked increases. Analysts assert that the rise in reported cases reflects a genuine escalation in criminal activity, affecting citizens’ daily lives, mobility, and overall sense of security. While other forms of crime also exist, these particular offences have the most immediate and visible impact.
One illustrative case involves Kazi Mohammad A. Hadid, a private-sector employee who frequently provides ride-sharing on his motorcycle after office hours. On 24 January 2025, he fell victim to a street robbery near Banani, Dhaka. According to the police report, after dropping off a passenger, Hadid stopped at a field to relieve himself when four assailants surrounded him, threatened him with knives, and snatched his mobile phone and wallet, inflicting physical injuries in the process.
Hadid recounted the incident to Prothom Alo, noting the severe personal and financial consequences. “I lost money, sustained injuries, and became unemployed. Retrieving my motorcycle documents and my phone involved significant expense and delays. Even now, I remain without work,” he explained. Despite recovering his phone with the help of bystanders, two perpetrators escaped with his wallet. Court procedures and legal fees further compounded his hardship.
Official data from the Bangladesh Police corroborates this trend:
| Crime Type | Cases in 2024 | Cases in 2025 | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snatching | 1,412 | 1,935 | 37% |
| Robbery (Dacoity) | 490 | 702 | 43% |
| Theft | 8,622 | 9,672 | 12% |
| Abduction | 644 | 1,101 | 71% |
| Total | 11,168 | 13,410 | 16.48% |
In particular, cases of robbery and snatching alone rose by 39 per cent. Experts note, however, that many victims choose not to file complaints due to procedural hassles—a pattern consistent over previous years.
Assistant Inspector General H.M. Shahadat Hossain, Police Headquarters’ spokesperson, clarified that while cases of theft, robbery, snatching, and abduction rose, overall crime levels have remained relatively stable over the past 15–20 years. He attributed the increase in filed cases partly to easier reporting procedures and retrospective complaints.
Public sentiment reflects growing insecurity. A survey by Kimakers Consulting indicated that 60 per cent of citizens perceive government efforts to maintain law and order as inadequate, while 39 per cent believe they are effective. Additionally, “mob terror” incidents caused at least 197 fatalities in 2025, up from 128 in 2024, further exacerbating fears.
Criminology experts, including Assistant Professor Rezaul Karim Sohag of Dhaka University, warn that habitual offenders exploit lapses in law enforcement, carefully selecting targets and capitalising on opportunities. He described the current law-and-order situation as precarious, with enforcement agencies struggling to function optimally.
The convergence of rising street crime, abductions, mob-related violence, and attacks on police has created an urgent need for stronger preventive measures to restore public confidence and safety.