Crime rate drops in B'luru, so do thefts and murders

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The number of crime cases in Bengaluru has been on the rise year after year, but 2024 stands as an exception, with a notable decrease compared to 2023. Among the various crimes tracked, servant theft is the only category to witness a rise, while cases of murder, attempted murder, theft, and robbery have declined significantly, painting a positive picture for the city.

This reduction can be attributed to several factors: resolution of old cases, an increase in e-beats, enhanced use of technology such as CCTV, monitoring of habitual offenders, and sustained public awareness campaigns. For instance, the number of daytime house burglaries, which stood at 264 in 2023 – averaging 22 per month has dropped to 171 in the first 11 months of this year, averaging about 15 per month. The consistency of these efforts is being seen as a major breakthrough for law enforcement authorities. Similarly, murder cases decreased from 206 in 2023 to 176 this year.

Attempted murder cases have seen a significant decline, from 537 last year to 450 in 2024. However, police statistics reveal that theft by domestic servants has risen by 20%, an area requiring continued attention from the law enforcement teams in the city. The decline in house burglaries has been linked to measures implemented by Bengaluru police, including apprehending suspects targeting paying guest accommodations for stealing mobile phones, laptops, and other valuables. Police issued guidelines for PG owners, urging them to install CCTV cameras, hire security guards, and maintain detailed records of tenants. The targeted actions taken in these specific areas have built public confidence in the measures adopted.

A senior officer explained that increasing ebeats in high-crime areas, extensive patrolling, and the use of portable scanners under the Mobile Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System have played significant roles in reducing theft. Technology has also been pivotal under the Public Safety Act, with the installation of CCTV cameras, mobile phone blocking systems, and tools for tracing lost devices via the CEIR portal. This has deterred potential criminals, further reducing theft rates across the city.