Bangladesh Sees Rise in Violent Crimes, Ongoing Threat from Mob Attacks

Over the past year, Bangladesh has witnessed a rise in serious crimes such as murder, robbery, abduction, and sexual assault, while cases of theft, burglary, and smuggling have declined, according to police data. Analysts warn that actual crime rates may be higher than reported, especially following last year’s student and public uprisings, when law enforcement was disrupted and many incidents went unregistered.

Surge in murders, robberies, and abductions

From August 2024 to July 2025, police registered 3,866 murder cases nationwide, compared to 2,975 in the previous year. Excluding 637 cases linked to the July uprisings, there were 3,229 murders, many of which relate to older incidents that had not been reported due to fears of political retaliation. Authorities also registered a significant number of abductions and enforced disappearances, some referred by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

Robbery and dacoity incidents have also increased sharply. In the past year, 1,156 dacoity cases were filed, up from 330 the previous year. Abductions numbered 954, nearly double last year’s 513. High-profile cases, such as the kidnapping of a physician in Gazipur in January, have heightened public concern about personal security.

Mob violence remains a major concern

Unruly mobs have emerged as a key security threat, sometimes targeting police officers themselves. According to the Human Rights Support Society, at least 173 incidents of mob violence occurred from January to July 2025, leaving 79 dead and 158 injured. Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra reported 111 deaths due to lynching and mob attacks from January to early August.

One recent tragedy occurred in Taraganj, Rangpur, where two men were beaten to death by a mob despite police presence. Officials acknowledge that initial hesitancy among police to confront mobs contributed to escalating violence, though arrests in recent high-profile cases have helped reduce such incidents.

Sexual violence and attacks on women and children

Cases of rape and violence against women and children also increased, with 17,900 incidents reported from August 2024 to June 2025, up from 16,792 the previous year. One notable case involved the rape of a child in Magura, who later died from injuries. The perpetrator received a death sentence, highlighting growing public attention to such crimes.

Decline in property crimes, rise in seizures

In contrast, theft, burglary, and smuggling decreased over the year. Police registered 11,266 theft and burglary cases, down from 12,157, while smuggling cases fell from 2,356 to 1,962. Drug and illegal arms seizures, however, increased, indicating ongoing enforcement activity in these areas.

Challenges facing law enforcement

Experts say policing remains weakened due to political instability, low morale, and insufficient accountability. Many officers were previously sidelined for political or disciplinary reasons, and the reshuffling of personnel has not fully restored competence or confidence. Professor Muhammad Omar Faruk, a criminologist, warned that crime could worsen ahead of upcoming elections unless police receive specialized training and stricter measures are taken to hold criminals accountable.