Front Page   

Chennai Police revive bicycle patrolling

L. Srikrishna

It represents a `back-to-basics' approach, says Letika Saran

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

GOOD OLD DAYS: Police patrolling North Mada Street in Mylapore.

CHENNAI: The city police have revived bicycle patrolling.

For the last 10 days, a batch of 6 to 10 policemen attached to the Mylapore police station, led by Inspector S. Sankaralingam, have been pedalling through the narrow bylanes of the locality.

The residents have welcomed the move, with the youngsters displaying an element of curiosity, and the elderly, a touch of nostalgia.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Mylapore) A.G. Mourya said the team did the rounds between 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. "This has not only enabled us to be visible in small pockets, but also effectively deterred anti-social activity that usually occurred during evenings."

Distress calls to `100' about complaints such as eve teasing, chain snatching or drunken brawls have dropped substantially, Mr. Sankaralingam said. Besides being visible, quick access to the site of trouble is an advantage for the patrol. "Now, when any rowdy demands `mamool', we inform the patrol," a woman selling flowers near the Mylapore railway station said.

When contacted, Commissioner of Police Letika Saran said re-introduction of bicycle patrolling represented a back-to-basics approach. It helped police personnel know the people under their jurisdiction better.

Besides Mylapore, the Tirumangalam police have also taken up bicycle patrolling.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Status report on CD issue sought
World Bank chief in scandal, board pledges quick action
Agni-III test: Jakarta ATC was informed
India is special; we welcome you, says Uzbekistan
Attitude to India changing: Brazil
"There's a growing fascination with India in the U.S."
An Aussie lesson for the Irishmen
Lankans emerge main rivals to Aussies
To bat first or not, that's the question
Arm-ball: a surprise weapon in a spinner's armoury
The nerves are starting to jangle
Sri Lanka's genuine spirit to the fore
46 p.c. polling in second phase of Uttar Pradesh elections
Cauvery award challenged
Road to Kashmir roundtable may prove to be rocky
Quattrocchi's extradition: Centre's assurance to court
Court: hearing on BJP's plea on May 8
Uma Bharti pulls out of race, in favour of BJP
Protests by Pakistan lawyers gather strength
Passenger trains to run between Bangalore, Mangalore shortly
Rajapaksa to meet Pope
Infosys net up 57 p.c. at Rs. 3,850 cr.
Sanmar Group unveils expansion plans
Lufthansa facility for Hyderabad
Indian mangoes for American motorcycles
The people's President does it again
Spiralling land prices hit city's future
`Calling work' in Magistrate Courts shifted to evening hours
Chennai Police revive bicycle patrolling
High Court rejects Paloli's apology
Athirappilly: panel interacts with people
Central holiday today
Bandh against delimitation total in Theni
Osama's CDs in Bihar
System to identify station set up in Tiruchi train
TataSky plea fails
Ugandan police assure security to Indians
Court allows Balli to attend session
No new permission for unipoles, hoardings
Council: repoll ordered in 52 LAC booths
Babli: meet threatens to intensify agitation
Ready to go to jail: Paloli

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu