Snatch Thefts in Penang Worsening?

A few weeks ago my mother's handbag was snatched from her moving car (Iswara) as she slowed down at a junction in Pulau Tikus. 2 Indian men on a motorbike pulled open her passenger side door (yes she forgot to lock it!) and escaped. My mum tried to pursue them but luckily she gave up.

A few days ago another lady doctor in my clinic, went to withdraw money from the ATM in Maybank Greenlane opposite McDonalds. She parked her car, withdrew then money, sat in her car and locked the door.
She noticed someone looking into the car in her side mirror. Then the thief smashed her passenger side window and got away with the handbag. She suffered minor cuts and bruises, but it doesn't even matter if you lock your car door!

Making a Police report seems to be a big waste of time as they will say you are only one of 30 cases of snatch thefts a day in Penang! This is getting worse than Johor!

I am thinking of getting some Pepper Spray for my own protection. Prevention is better of course. Constant Vigilance!

However I wonder what the police are doing about it? I hardly see any Policemen except those issuing traffic summons and speed traps. Why can't there be a special unit to stop Snatch Thefts? My suggestion is :

Undercover cops! Just get a lady cop in her 40s and sit her in a kancil all alone. Let her go to the ATM or put her handbag on the passenger side. Leave the door unlocked. Then drive slowly in the theft areas.
The thieves are sure to go after her! Then you get the other cops standing my in their motorbikes to make the arrest! Isn't that much better than checking Road Tax expiry dates on our cars?