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Mumbai a safer city, but only just about

Updated on: 14 May,2011 06:16 AM IST  | 
Sayed Roshan |

Statistics from police records indicate a decline in the crime rate by 8 per cent; cases of robbery, dacoity, chain snatching have declined, but thefts and break-ins are on the rise

Mumbai a safer city, but only just about

Statistics from police records indicate a decline in the crime rate by 8 per cent; cases of robbery, dacoity, chain snatching have declined, but thefts and break-ins are on the rise

There's both good news and bad. For those of you who experience bouts of paranoia about being held at gunpoint for your valuables on the city streets, its time to loosen up.

But for those who obsessively check if their doors are locked before leaving for work, it may be time to go on security overdrive and rope in some professional aid.



Police records have shown that crime rates in the city have actually been falling, but not holistically.

While statistics show a considerable dip in cases of robbery, dacoity and chain snatching, it appears that the frequency of thefts and break-ins has escalated.

On the whole, comparing the incidences of crime in the period January-April 2010 with the same in 2010, it appears that the crime rates have dropped substantially, by a margin of about eight per cent.

MiD DAY has obtained a copy of the police records, which make these claims. The police are tightening their network in an attempt to mitigate crime in the city to a great extent.

Even a cursory look at the comparative number of recorded crimes will make it amply clear that the crime rates
have indeed fallen perceptibly. Police stations registered 13 dacoity cases between January and April last year.
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The noticeable decline this year is made clear by the fact that only four such cases have been registered so far. While 101 cases of robbery were reported in the said duration last year, only 90 similar cases have been registered so far this year.

However, the statistics aren't so promising when it comes to incidences of chain snatching compared to the registered 440 cases for the duration January-April last year, 434 have occurred this so far this year.

All's not well
Thefts, and break-ins continue to haunt the city police, and the numbers have inflated alarmingly. Compared to last year's 1,680 thefts, there has been a manifold rise this year, calculated at 1,763.

The situation looks equally grim in case of break-ins compared to the 665 cases reported till April last year, 701 have been registered this year.

Optimistic and relieved that their efforts have paid off in certain sections, it is too early for the Mumbai police to declare victory against the legions of delinquents and petty criminals in the city: the rise in cases of thefts and break-ins are keeping them on their nimble toes.

In fact, they have admitted that their sleuthing efforts in many cases failed to yield the desired results. "It is difficult to track down the perpetrators of planned thefts; this year, a maximum number of thefts were carefully deliberated upon, before being committed," said a police officer from the crime branch.

According the officer, the number of break-ins have been on the rise largely because residents are off on sabbaticals to holiday destinations, leaving their residences suitably deserted and vulnerable to thieves and criminals.

The same officer however, denied an increase in incidences of train snatching.

"Break-ins are on the upward curve, simply because it is holiday season and people are leaving their residences unattended.

The Mumbai Police commissioner has identified a particular area in the city where chain snatching cases are on the rise, and has duly deployed members of the police force to curb the number of cases," he said.

Nabbing crooks, an SMS at a time
According to the Deputy Commissioner of police Rajkumar Vhatkar, citizens can be certain of greater decline in crime rates in the near future. "We are trying our best to tighten our security network further," said Vhatkar.
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The law enforcers have in fact adopted several novel methods to eradicate crime in the precincts of the city. They recently began an SMS service, through which complaints can be lodged directly with the commissioner.
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The service is already popular and thriving, with the police daily receiving as many as 400 complaints.

Following registration of complaint, the senior police inspector of the concerned area is intimated of the transgression immediately, and investigative procedures are set in motion.
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"Yesterday we received around 400 complaints via SMS; we are investigating each and every one.

We inform the senior police inspector of the area in which the misdeed took place, and facilitate a meeting between the inspector and the complainant," Vhatkar added.

434
The number of chain snatching cases this year

53
The number of rape cases this year

701
The number of house breaking thefts this year

90
The number of robbery cases this year

703
The number of motor vehicle theft cases this year

44
The number extortions this year

48
The number of murder cases this year

311
The cases of crime against women this year




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