Your trusted source

Surveillance cameras are set to be installed in public transport in Armenia in the wake of the theft rate growth.

Studying the appropriation cases in Kentron and Nork Marash district of capital Yerevan, the Prosecutor’s Office revealed a 31.9% growth in theft of property in 2018 from a year before.

The agency says the vast majority of such thefts (some 35%) in the district occurred on public transport, with the most common items stolen being wallets, cash and mobile phones. 

Although the items stolen on public transport are not much valuable, often low-income passengers fall victim to a pickpocket, the Prosecutor General’s Office told Panorama.am.

“In addition, most of the victims are foreigners, and any crime targeting them leaves a negative effect on the country's tourism image and development,” the statement said.

Taking this into account, as well as the fact that pickpocketing cases were also recorded in Yerevan’s other districts, the prosecutor of Kentron and Nork Marash Administrative District has submitted a petition the Yerevan mayor to install security cameras in public transport. He also proposed to post warning signs in buses and mini-buses asking passengers to take steps to protect their belongings.

In response, the Municipality has tasked the companies serving the routes to install surveillance cameras in vehicles as much as possible, as well as to post warning signs in a period of 10 days.