Crimes in Azamgarh falls as people stay indoors

Not everything is gloomy and depressing during the 21-day lockdown, there is a positive side to it. As the number of cases and deaths related to Coronavirus is rising there is a sharp fall in crime cases. According to the latest Azamgarh Police data, the crime rate in the city has seen a remarkable fall. The data between March 21 and April 5 show that most crimes have reduced several times and an overall decrease of over 80 per cent in heinous crime cases.
Comparative data analysis of crime cases during the same period in the previous year ie 2019 shows a major dip in all street crimes. The lockdown was enforced from March 25 after which only a few people could be seen in the streets with heavy police deployment resulting in fewer cases of crime and road accidents.
Triveni Singh, Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh said there is sharp call in crime cases which is the result of increased police presence. Constant checking and closing of boarders have also contributed towards a low rate in burglary and vehicle thefts. Severe checking at the borders has caused a deterrent for criminals from the neighbour states. Cases of robbery, kidnapping and extortion have dipped tremendously.
There is an over 84% decrease in crimes compared to last year. There were only 98 cases of crimes reported between the last 15 days compared to last year’s 181 cases.
Even the cases of crime against women have seen a drastic fall. Only six cases of sexual harassment were registered from 11 cases that took place in 2019. Similarly, two cases of rape were filed in comparison to six cases in 2019 a fall of 200%.
There was no case of robbery registered during this period. Even cases of kidnapping which was as high as 21 cases in 15 day period in 2019 has reduced to just four cases in 2020, a reduction of over 400 per cent.
Cases of vehicle theft have gone down by 140% as most of the vehicles are being thoroughly checked and movement is restricted. The Azamgarh Police is also in the process of identifying and arresting notorious criminals and tracking their history sheets during the period of lockdown.
Restricted traffic movement has also helped in reducing the cases of accidents. There were only seven cases reported in comparisons to 27 cases during 2019. With lesser people on the streets, there was a sharp decline in cases of riots, burglary and attempt to murder.
Triveni Singh said the exact picture of a dip in crime can be analysed only after the end of lockdown but current numbers are encouraging. The police force will remain deployed on the streets and with one sole aim to enforce the lockdown and break the chain of coronavirus.