The police have intensified their night patrolling with the support of residents’ associations in Kozhikode city and its suburbs in the wake of theft attempts at some of the houses which were recently vacated by residents following the floods . Flood-hit areas identified by the police will be covered 24x7 during the intensified patrolling.
Residents’ association leaders have been asked to prepare a list of vacated houses to be covered under the surveillance initiative. Private vehicles and motorbikes will also be used for the purpose in the limits of various police stations.
A Station House Officer in the city said the police had formed an alliance with local residents to strengthen night patrolling in the wake of an increase in thefts during the monsoon season. As it had been found very effective, the method would be continued to offer protection to identified houses, he said.
Following a State-level directive by the State Police Chief, all the police stations have formed a separate patrol squad in their limits comprising officials who head community policing schemes. The squads will also cover the relief camps in their area and ensure protection to the collected relief materials.
Considering the chance of stealing relief materials by anti-social elements, plainclothesmen will be posted at all important locations. This is in addition to the women police personnel already posted in various camps.
In some waterlogged areas, residents’ forums have come up with their own security and surveillance arrangements with the support of voluntary organisations. Closed circuit television cameras have been installed in a few vulnerable residential areas, where families were shifted to relief camps.
The public can request emergency service using the helpline number 112.
