Crime cases increased in 2010: Delhi Police (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Delhi Police Commissioner B.K. Gupta Thursday claimed that the overall crime rate in the city has declined as compared to the rise in population — but official figures pointed to the number of cases, including rape and molestation, registered in 2010 increasing as against the previous year.

“The crime rate has come down in 2010 as 301.49 crime (cases) per lakh of population was registered against 306.37 last year,” Gupta said, addressing the annual press conference of Delhi Police here.

However, there has been an increase in the number of registered complaints in comparison to previous year.

“The number of cases filed under the IPC (Indian Penal Code) in 2010 was 48,161 against 47,069 in 2009 (an increase of over 2 percent),” he said, adding that the increase was small in comparison to the rise in the city’s population.

Gupta admitted that there was a rise in rape cases in 2010. A total of 489 rape cases were registered last year as compared to 459 in 2009.

“Cases of molestation in the capital rose to 585 in 2010, against 528 in 2009. To stop this, women constables will be deputed outside places like colleges, in markets and at bus stands,” Gupta said.

“This year, our focus is on the safety of women and senior citizens,” he added.

There was a decline in murder cases, with 519 cases being recorded in 2010, as against 527 in 2009, he said.

An analysis of motives in such cases revealed that 15 percent of the cases were due to “sudden provocation”, while another equal percentage was due to “sex related” motives.

The commissioner added that 78 percent of murder cases were solved in 2010. “We assure (people) that we will also solve the rest of the cases,” he said.

The number of heinous crimes climbed up with 1,969 cases reported last year, against 1,948 in 2009.

There was a decline in dacoity cases. In 2010, 31 cases were reported as against 33 cases in 2009. “Out of 31 cases, 29 were solved and the detection rate was 93.55 percent,” said the commissioner.

Motor vehicle thefts accounted for 29 percent of total crimes registered under the IPC. “To stop this, interstate police co-ordination is a must, apart from installation of anti-theft equipment (by vehicle owners),” said Gupta.

There has been a substantial rise of about 24 percent in the number of snatching cases. Commenting on this significant rise, Gupta said: “Beat policing will be revamped. I will personally meet the beat constables every month. There will be a monthly appraisal for them. Mobile patrolling will also be increased.”

The commissioner also stated that 93 percent of these criminals arrested for snatching were first time offenders and 61 percent of them were illiterate or school drop-outs.

Interestingly, all the criminals arrested for the 16 kidnappings in 2010 were “first-timers”, with no previous criminal record. In 87 percent of the kidnappings, the accused were known to the victim’s family.

On the traffic front, the commissioner said a reduction in fatal accidents will remain his top priority.

“Strict action will be taken against drunk driving and police will be stationed at almost every road intersection in the city,” said Gupta.

Delhi traffic police have identified 15 corridors in the city where there will be intensive presence of personnel to check traffic violations and enforce lane driving discipline.

Under force modernisation schemes, Gupta said that the union home ministry has sanctioned a proposal for setting up of surveillance cameras in 59 markets and at 27 border check posts

“Till now, 18 markets and seven borders posts had CCTVs,” he added.