Police Receive Surge in Reports of Street Robberies in Bandung

The Bandung City Police (Polrestabes Bandung) have confirmed receiving numerous reports from the public regarding a rise in street robberies, locally known as begal. The pattern of these crimes has also shifted, now occurring daily instead of being concentrated on weekends. Deputy Chief of the Bandung City Police, AKBP Dedi Wahyudi, stated that the force has responded to the community’s concerns by increasing night patrols. “We are responding to input from the people of Bandung, where begal attacks have begun to flare up again in the city,” he said at the Bandung City Police headquarters on Friday (17/7/2026). He noted that each police precinct is now deploying four officers to guard four to five vulnerable locations, with intensified patrols during high-risk hours, particularly in the early morning. Dedi stressed that officers will take firm and measured action against street criminals who are disturbing the public. He urged residents not to worry when engaging in nighttime activities and to call the emergency number 110 if they experience any disturbances. The police’s Prabu team is also moving quickly to respond to reports. In the past two months, police have uncovered several begal cases. In early May, two of four perpetrators who robbed a package courier were arrested. In mid-June, two armed robbers who attacked an online motorcycle taxi driver on Jalan Cikawao were apprehended. On 14 July, a resident named Azmy fell victim to a begal gang posing as debt collectors on Jalan BKR, Regol District; police arrested three suspects less than two hours after the incident. On 16 July, a 24-year-old man identified as U was robbed of his mobile phone on Jalan Babakan Ciparay, and one perpetrator was successfully detained.