Police officials attributed the increase in cyber crime to the installation of several cyber cells that clears more cases than before
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data which was released on Wednesday revealed that crimes committed by juveniles and cyber-related crimes have increased in Chennai city, while most other crimes have reduced, compared to last year. Police officials attributed the increase in cyber crime to the installation of several cyber cells that clears more cases than before
Cyber crime (Chennai)
73 2018
118 2019
186 2020
Types of cyber crime
55 OTP fraud, Online Booking fraud
54 Computer-related offences
- Obscene content: 37
- Impersonation: 26
- Fake news: 14
Smaller units created
In September 2020, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, the then Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police, launched dedicated cyber cells to the existing 12 police districts in Chennai. This decentralised the cyber unit at the police commissionerate in Egmore and provided access to the public to file complaints at the cyber cells in their jurisdiction
“Earlier we did not have much manpower. A small unit of personnel at the commissionerate had to receive complaints and do the paperwork to solve the crime. Even the cases being registered at the office were fewer. This was at a time when we were receiving at least 60 to 80 cases in a day,” said a senior police officer
After dedicated cyber cells were set up, the smaller units were trained to solve the crime. “The units registered several cyber crime and solved more cases. This is why the data shows an increase in cyber crime,” he said
Types of Crime committed by juveniles
- Offences against property: 380
- Theft: 209
- Burglary: 82
- Robbery: 78
- Rash Driving: 69 (first among metropolitan cities)
- Hurt cases: 49
- Murder: 16
Cases down in 19 cities
The NCRB, which functions under the Union Home Ministry, has classified 19 cities with a population over 20 lakh — Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, and Surat — as metropolitan. Across these cities, overall cases have decreased from 6,885 in 2019 to
5,974 in 2020
Most juveniles nabbed are first-time offenders
A senior police officer said during the lockdown, due to unemployment and financial instability in most families, juveniles were getting involved in crimes. “Most of the juveniles arrested were first-time offenders. They are joining several history-sheeters, and getting caught,” said the officer
Another officer attached to the traffic wing said several men, including juveniles, were racing on empty roads during the lockdown, and it involved juveniles. Initially they were warned and sent home. “But, the ones who hit the road again were booked under relevant sections,” the officer said
Across the country, crimes committed by juveniles, have fallen by 7.8 per cent with 32,269 cases reported in 2019 and 29,768 cases in 2020. The NCRB data said over 35,352 juveniles were arrested in 2020 and 76.2 per cent of them (26,954) were in the 16-18 age group
More motorists in city now wear helmets
86% The Greater Chennai Police has said the number of motorists wearing helmets have increased from 72 per cent to 86 per cent in just a month’s period. The police credited the development to “vigorous” awareness campaigns and enforcement drives they conducted during the month of August this year
In a statement, the police said the initiatives were necessitated after a study on compliance of helmet rule conducted in June at 10 junctions found that only 72 per cent of two-wheeler riders wore helmets
Analysis of road accidents in Greater Chennai City
(January 1 to September 7, 2021) Total deaths – 659
Two-wheeler victims – 173 (26%)
Among them, 126 (74%) did not wear helmets
Injured – 3,325
Two-wheeler victims – 1,214 (37%)
Among them, 1,056 (86%) did not wear helmets
During the enforcement drive, the statement said, the traffic police booked 3,58,548 motor vehicle cases, of which 1,29,240 were cases of non-compliance to helmet rule
“Complete compliance can be achieved with public co-operation,” the statement said and assured to continue the special drives and awareness campaigns.