The Mumbai Police have released their annual crime report for the first time. The report covers the year 2021, when restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 pandemic were relaxed to a certain extent. Thus, after reduction in crime due to the pandemic in 2020, the numbers again saw a rise in 2021. Though the number of offences have gone back to the pre-pandemic era, the Mumbai Police, whose slogan says “सद्रक्षणाय खलनिग्रहणाय” (To protect the Good and to destroy the Evil), have improved case detection rate.
In this article, we’ll take a look at key sections of the report and what do they speak of the crime and, law and order situation in the financial capital of the country.
Improvement in detection rate
To give an idea of the improvements made in the force, the report shows data and trends of crime in the city from 2019 to 2021. As per the report, 33,813 cases were registered across the city in 2021, of which 22,519 were detected with an overall detection rate of 67 per cent. In 2020, 28,244 cases were reported and 17,593 of these were detected with a 62 per cent detection rate. In 2019, the overall detection rate stood at 68 per cent as 28,467 of the 41,590 cases were solved. The data goes to show substantial improvement in case detection rate, a 5% rise compared to last year.
Though theft continues to be an area of concern for the city police with the lowest of 40 per cent detection, there has been a marginal improvement in detection rate compared to 2019 and 2020. In 2021, of the 4,534 theft cases filed, only 1,870 cases were solved. The rate has seen improvement from 35 per cent in 2020 and 36 per cent in 2019.
In cases of dacoity, Mumbai police managed to detect all 16 cases registered in 2021. The city police recorded best detection rate in matters of murder cases (99 per cent), attempt to murder (97 per cent), hurt (93 per cent), robbery (92 per cent), among others.
Apart from theft, motor vehicle theft also remains the major concern for the Mumbai police force. In 2021, 3,282 vehicles were reported stolen and 1,599 were recovered, with a detection rate of 47%. Comparatively, in 2020, 1,085 of the 2,801 vehicles reported stolen were recovered by Mumbai police.
Reduction in body violent crime
In another feather in the city police’s cap, in comparison to pre-COVID era, body offences or violent crimes such as murder, attempt to murder, hurt, rape, dowry death went down significantly. In 2019, 12,030 body offences were reported of which 10,540 or 88 per cent were detected, while in 2021, 9,740 such cases were reported and 8,703 or 90 per cent were detected.
Cybercrime
According to the annual report, the cybercrime detection rate in the city’s five regional cyber police stations was 59% in 2021, better than the 13% at the 94 police stations. Of the 2,883 cyber offences reported last year, 2,724 were registered at police stations and 159 with cyber cops.
In comparison to cybercrime cases in 2020 i.e. 2,435 cases, 2021 saw an 18% rise in crimes committed virtually.
Detection rate, on the other hand, remained low- only 16%. This is, however, better then the 9% detection rate in 2020.
Crime against women and children
As per the annual report, 5,496 cases of crimes against women and children were registered in the city in 2021, as against 4,539 in 2020 and 6,438 in 2019. In comparison to pre-Covid levels, the crimes against women and children saw significant drop in 2021.
The western and northern suburbs of the city, which is spread over areas between Bandra and Dahisar, earned the dubious distinction of being ‘most unsafe’ for women and children in 2021. The city police has attributed the rise in such crimes to the dense population and slum pockets in these two suburbs.
Among the five regions in the state’s capital, the west zone (Bandra to Andheri, BKC to Vile Parle, Powai to Meghwadi-Jogeshwari) reported the highest crimes against women and children with 235 rape and 630 molestation cases. The North Zone (Borivli to Goregaon-Aarey-Gorai-Kurar) ranked second in terms of crimes against women and children, with 269 rape and 525 molestation cases.
South Mumbai, being safest for the aforementioned section of citizens, registered the least number of rape (49) and molestation (152) FIRs in 2021. Central suburbs (Byculla to Worli, Dadar to Kurla-Mahim-Wadala) reported 133 rape and 349 molestation cases, and east zone (Mulund to Ghatkopar, Kurla to Chembur, Shivaji Nagar to Trombay) 203 rape and 412 molestation cases.
From the desk of Mumbai CP
Hemant Nagrale, the commissioner of police, in his note at the beginning of the report, said Mumbai police has been recognised as the country’s most capable and competent police force.
“Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and one of the important trade centres of the world. Any incidents taking place here are watched closely by all quarters,” Mr Nagrale said.
Explaining the reasons behind rise in crimes, Mr Nagrale said: “The complexity of crimes in Mumbai has been growing. Technological advancements have been largely helpful to dreaded criminals. Thus, it is becoming increasingly difficult investigate crimes and reach to criminals. However, the timely changes adopted by the force and expertise attained in handling technology skillfully have helped Mumbai police to become well-equipped in facing various challenges.”
The CP also highlighted various initiatives taken by Mumbai police like helping senior citizens during the Covid lockdowns, formation of Nirbhaya squad and helpline to help women facing harassment and intimidation, and success of mission Muskan to help find lost citizens.
Mr Nagrale also thanked the state’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and stressed that both of them have complete faith in the force.
Significance
This is the first time that Mumbai Police has released such a detailed insight on crime statistics for the public perusal, with the commissioner of police addressing a press conference. Earlier, though the data was discussed internally within the department, it was not made available for public viewing like it’s been done this time around. The presence of city commissioner in the press conference while releasing the report highlights Mumbai police’s renewed push for accountability, which makes it even more commendable.
Providing region-wise data of crimes, the city police have not only earmarked areas of focus in terms of high rates of crime, but also gave information about various initiatives by the force to tackle those crime.
Such initiatives, in the long run, will only help in building trust between the force and people, thereby accelerating the efforts to bring down the crime rate of the city.
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