Hyderabad Crime: While the overall crime rate in Hyderabad only saw a modest 2% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year, certain categories like cyber crimes, financial scams, and offenses against women witnessed a sharp rise.
Officials, however, attribute this increase to the city’s growing population.
The Commissioner of Police, K Sreenivasa Reddy, highlighted the department’s efforts to combat crime, including establishing new police stations and forming specialized teams for prevention and detection.
Despite the overall increase, there were some positive aspects:
- Increased reporting: More people felt comfortable reporting crimes, leading to a higher number of registered cases (24,821 in 2023 compared to 21,795 previously).
- Focus on specific crimes: Dedicated efforts led to a rise in the detection of property offenses and recovery of stolen property.
- Declining POCSO cases: There was a positive trend in the decline of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Sreenivasa Reddy acknowledged a 16% increase in bodily offenses, attributing it partially to elections held during the year.
While the overall crime rate remained marginally higher, the significant rise in specific categories and the acknowledgment of challenges by authorities highlight the need for continued focus and targeted strategies to ensure Hyderabad’s safety and security.
