The Tirupati Urban district has seen an increase in crime rates in 2013 as the projected statistics suggests a spurt in house break-ins, two-wheeler thefts and chain snatching cases.
Out of the 1,009 cases registered, only 442 have been solved so far, putting the crime detection rate at 43.8 per cent. Similarly, the property recovery was pegged at 50 per cent as compared to the 53.7 and 52 per cent in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Red sanders smugglingRed sanders smuggling has been a cause of concern for the police as it went unabated throughout the year with 127 cases being registered.
As many as 2,759 logs, weighing nearly 80,000 kg, worth Rs.3.08 crore were seized, along with 76 vehicles and two bullock carts.
Recently, the murder of two forest officials came as a shock to the entire department. Within three days, the police, along with the task force officials arrested 349 red sanders smugglers in connection with the incident.
Positive reinforcementsThe first ever ‘Women Task Force’, headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police B.H. Vimala Kumari, was established by the police to keep a check on unscrupulous elements troubling women at important busy junctions in the city.
Apart from this, raids on CD shops, cyber cafes and belt shops were also intensified. Special measures were also taken to address the problem of organised gambling.
A family counselling centre was also constituted under this branch.
The ‘Dial 100’ programme received a good response from the public. Out of the 7,737 calls received thorugh this service, cases were registered in 154 cases.
Traffic cops crack whipThe traffic police cracked the whip on the offenders by collecting a staggering amount of more than Rs.1.5 crore during special drives to curb the usage of black films on vehicles, drunk driving and two-wheeler thefts.
Besides this, awareness programmes for auto-rickshaw drivers and demarcation of parking places in the city was also conducted, with the help of the municipal corporation.
