Don’t try to be a hero, stay safe, city police tell vigilantes

It is not safe to confront offenders who are often armed with knives, rods or even guns. Because their desperation to escape is much greater than the citizen vigilante’s enthusiasm to capture them, leading to stabbing, slashing or even opening fire to escape from the scene of crime. 

“They may do anything to escape, because their main aim will be to flee from the spot. Individual’s safety is also a priority in such situations,” a police officer noted. 

In such dangerous situations, one should instead stick to identifying the criminal or his vehicle registration number. That would be much more beneficial to the police than an alert citizen getting stabbed or shot while trying to stop criminals. Never try overpowering the suspect all alone, the officer added. 

“Seek help to from onlookers to nab the suspect. And if there is a policeperson in the vicinity, it is always better to seek his or her help. A police officer is professionally trained to handle such situation. While nabbing a suspect, always handed the person over to the police instead of being thrashed by people,” noted the officer.