Metro Police Explain Higher Mugging Rates in West Jakarta Than in Other Areas

Director of General Criminal Investigation (Direskrimum) of Polda Metro Jaya, Brigadier General Iman Imannuddin, revealed that the highest number of mugging cases in DKI Jakarta is in the outlying areas and West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat). Iman cited several factors that cause this condition to occur.

“As with crime theory, balloon theory, so when law enforcement is carried out in this area then it is expected to have an impact on surrounding areas,” Iman said at a press conference at Mapolda Metro Jaya, Jakarta, Friday (22/5/2026).

Iman explained that the bustling news of mugging in Jakbar is due to the abundance of information circulating on digital channels or social media. He added that in other areas the number is not less.

“However, what is interesting is the amplification carried out on several social media platforms that it seems to have occurred entirely in West Jakarta,” he said.

Moreover, Iman assessed that Jakbar’s area is indeed more demographically diverse in terms of the economy of residents, social aspects, and education. He said that this is a factor contributing to the high number of crimes there.

“Well, Jakarta Barat is quite heterogeneous in terms of social strata, then economy, then education compared to other Jakarta districts, so that is also part of the factor that fairly increases the crime that occurs,” he stated.

Iman compared how the phenomenon of mugging or other crimes is smaller in South Jakarta. In addition, Jakbar’s residents’ movement is higher than South Jakarta, which is largely residential.

“And while we compare it with South Jakarta, there are quite a lot of business centres and places or activities for community members to engage in in terms of making a living. This also has an effect,” he said.