The Hindu : New Delhi News : Crime rate down, claims Police Chief

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Sunday, Jul 05, 2009
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New Delhi

Crime rate down, claims Police Chief

Ashok Kumar

‘Fall of 7 per cent in heinous crimes in Capital’

Beat system of patrolling strengthened
Crime against senior citizens dips

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police Commissioner Y. S. Dadwal on Saturday claimed that the number of cases of heinous crime reported in the Capital in the first half of the current year has gone down by over seven per cent in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

Presenting the statistics at a press conference here, Mr. Dadwal said: “A total of 968 cases of heinous crime were reported till June 30 this year compared with 1,046 cases for the corresponding year last year. In 2007, a total of 1,107 such cases were reported over the corresponding period. Also, the total number of IPC cases for the first sixth months this year has gone down by 3.01 per cent compared with 24,089 cases last year.”

The number of murder cases reported has declined by 5.64 per cent, attempt to murder by 6 per cent, robbery by 1.15 per cent, riot cases by 35.90 per cent, kidnapping for ransom by 10 per cent and rape cases by 12.74 per cent. However, the number of dacoity cases remained unchanged at 12.

The total number of cases registered under the Indian Penal Code reported per lakh of population for the current year at 264 is the lowest since 1991, said Mr. Dadwal.

The total number of non-heinous cases reported this year has also decreased by 2.80 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, but the number of snatching and motor vehicle theft cases has shot up by 13.25 per cent and 10.74 per cent respectively.

Crime against senior citizens also showed a downward trend with 17 cases being reported in the first half of the current year compared to 21 in 2008 for the corresponding period. In 2007, 25 cases of crime against senior citizens were reported in the first half.

Giving details of the strategies adopted by the police to prevent crime in the Capital, Mr. Dadwal said: “We have been regularly monitoring and analysing crime trends in the city and have identified vulnerable areas. The beat system of patrolling has been strengthened and special patrolling is being carried out during night. Emphasis has been laid on community policing and meetings are being held with the residents’ welfare associations. The activities of desperate criminals are under regular surveillance. The hotels and guest houses are being checked for the presence of criminal elements.”

Mr. Dadwal said 17 cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) have been registered in Delhi so far and as many people were arrested. “The number of cases registered under MCOCA has gone up over the past few years. In 2002, only one case was registered under MCOCA and five persons were arrested. In 2008, 18 people were arrested and five cases were registered.”

The Police Commissioner acknowledged cooperation from the common man in the fight against crime and said 323 people had been felicitated this year.

The police have given out Rs.29.14 lakh as reward money to people in recognition of their bravery since last year, he said.

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