The Delhi Police recently released data showing a significant decrease in heinous crimes such as murders, rapes, vehicle thefts, and robberies in the year 2024 compared to the previous year, 2023. According to the data, crimes like burglary, fatal accidents, narcotics-related cases, and those falling under the Excise Act and gambling saw an increase in numbers.
The overall total of IPC crimes decreased from 3,25,954 cases to 2,76,894, marking an 18 percent decline, as stated by the Delhi Police. However, the data did not include incidents of extortion, attempted murder, cybercrimes, or crimes registered under the gangster act. Additionally, crimes under the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) were also not mentioned in the report.
The data revealed that there were 504 recorded murder incidents in 2024, a slight decrease from the 506 cases in 2023. Robberies decreased from 1,654 in 2023 to 1,510 in 2024, while riots reduced from 44 to 33. Reported cases of rape decreased from 2,141 to 2,076, and incidents of snatching decreased from 7,886 to 6,493. Similarly, cases of vehicle theft declined from 40,045 to 39,976.
Aside from heinous crimes, the police data also highlighted a decrease in molestation and eve-teasing incidents from 2,345 to 2,037 and from 381 to 362, respectively. However, cases of kidnapping for ransom and dacoity remained constant in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 23 dacoities and 13 kidnapping incidents reported.
On the other hand, burglaries in Delhi witnessed an increase, along with fatal accidents, gambling, and narcotics-related cases. The number of burglaries or house thefts rose from 28,557 in 2023 to 29,011 in 2024. Fatal accidents increased from 1,432 to 1,504, while cases under the gambling and excise acts also saw a rise from 3,534 to 3,556 and from 6,443 to 5,951, respectively.
Moreover, cases related to narcotics, registered under the NDPS Act (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act), significantly increased from 1,325 to 1,789, according to the data provided by the Delhi Police. These findings shed light on the evolving crime scenario in the city and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.
In conclusion, while there has been a notable decrease in certain categories of crimes, the rise in others poses a concerning trend that will require focused attention and strategies to address effectively. The Delhi Police’s efforts to track and report crime data play a crucial role in understanding the crime landscape and devising targeted interventions to ensure the safety and security of residents in the capital.