Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: Gold chain snatching incidents are on the rise across Odisha, with women increasingly becoming targets. Complaints are being lodged and cases registered, but police efforts to prevent the crimes, arrest the offenders and recover the stolen jewellery appear limited.
According to a report from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), as many as 386 cases of gold chain snatching from women were reported across Odisha between January 1 and August 31, 2026.
The highest number of incidents was reported under the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD), where 115 women reportedly lost their gold chains during the eight-month period. Police recovered only 25 gold chains in these cases.
Also read: Gundicha Temple reopens to devotees at 7.30 AM
Balasore Police District recorded the second-highest number of cases, with 38 incidents. Police reportedly managed to recover stolen chains in only six cases.
Jajpur ranked third, with 24 reported incidents. Police arrested 11 people and recovered nine gold chains in connection with these cases.
The incidents reportedly occurred in a variety of circumstances. In some cases, women were targeted while plucking flowers, while others were attacked while travelling as pillion riders on two-wheelers with their husbands or relatives.
According to the SCRB data, several other districts and police units also reported gold chain snatching cases during the period. These included Angul (9), Bargarh (4), Berhampur Police District (8), Bhadrak (19), Cuttack Rural (11), Cuttack UPD (23), Dhenkanal (13), Ganjam (8), GRP Cuttack-Rourkela (26), Jagatsinghpur (1), Jharsuguda (3), Kalahandi (1), Kendrapara (6), Keonjhar (8), Khurda (8), Koraput (8), Malkangiri (3), Mayurbhanj (9), Nabarangpur (1), Nayagarh (3), Puri (14), Rayagada (1), Rourkela (4), Sambalpur (7), Subarnapur (2), Sundargarh (5) and Balangir (4).
No gold chain snatching cases involving women were reported in Deogarh and Boudh during the period covered by the report.
1,900 Cases Reported Since 2023
The report further states that 1,900 gold chain snatching cases involving women were reported across Odisha between January 2023 and the end of August 2026.
The number of cases has increased steadily over the years:
2023: 447 cases
2024: 524 cases
2025: 559 cases
January-August 2026: 386 cases
The figures indicate that gold chain snatching targeting women has remained a persistent concern across the state, with the number of reported cases rising over the past few years.
According to the report, Odisha Police has recorded an overall 28% success rate in arresting offenders and recovering stolen gold chains in these cases.
