Thefts, swindlings go up

BHUBANESWAR: A marginal decline in the overall crime rate in the Twin City notwithstanding, the incidence of robbery, theft and swindling registered a rise during 2011. The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police claimed on Friday that major heads of crime such as murder, rape and dacoity reported a decline in the two cities last year. Against 63 cases of murder in 2010, last year reported two cases less, thereby recording a three percent decline. However, the murder detection rate fell - from 95 percent in 2010 to 88.5 percent last year.  Similarly, at least 54 cases of rape were reported in 2011 - which meant every seven days a woman/girl is subjected to rape in the Twin City. As compared to 2010, when 60 cases of rape were reported, last year registered a healthy 10 percent decline though. The detection rate for rape saw a marginal fall from 100 percent in 2010 to 98 percent last year.  During the year, incidence of burglary and dacoity also registered a decline by 18 percent and 16 percent respectively. However, the number of robberies rose to 130 in 2011, up by 9.2 percent. The theft incidence also went up and so did cases of swindling.  According to the annual crime figures released by Police Commissioner BK Sharma, 6,765 cases under ten major crime heads were registered during 2011. Against the 2010 figure of 6817, this meant a 0.7 percent decline.  “The two cities are expanding rapidly and with their growth, it is natural the incidence of crime will rise. There is scope for improvement but we have been able to contain certain major heads,” he told mediapersons here.  Property offences and cases relating to financial frauds were on the rise which was indicated in the 22 percent rise in swindling cases.  Sharma said the Commissionerate Police is grappling with manpower shortages which is why the segregation of specialised wings has not taken place. “We have submitted a comprehensive proposal before the Government. If that is sanctioned, we will be able to carry out the separation of law and order from investigation,” he said. The Commissionerate has asked for at least 60 constables and 12 to 18 officers for each police station as part of the proposal which, when given a go ahead, will add 1,000 new personnel to the system.  Besides, a proposal for a specialised unit to tackle land grabbing and property related offences has also been proposed. Additional CP Ritu Arora and Bhubaneswar DCP Nitinjit Singh were also present.