Crime rises to pre-Covid levels in Mumbai, survey figures show

Detection rate improved to 67 per cent in 2021 from 62 per cent in 2020, as per Mumbai police’s Annual Report for 2021; top cop says working hard for prevention and solving crimes

After reporting a reduction in crime due to the pandemic in 2020, the numbers again saw rise in 2021, revealed Mumbai police’s Annual Report. While the number of offences have gone back to the pre-pandemic era, detection rate has also improved. Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said that cops are working hard on prevention and detection of crime.

The Annual Report for 2021, which was released on Tuesday, shows data and trends of crime in the city from 2019 to 2021. As per the report, 33,813 cases were registered across the city in 2021, of which 22,519 were detected with an overall detection rate of 67 per cent. In 2020, 28,244 cases were reported and 17,593 of these were detected with a 62 per cent detection rate. In 2019, the overall detection rate stood at 68 per cent as 28,467 of the 41,590 cases were solved.

Hemant Nagrale, Mumbai police chief

“Due to the lockdown, many residents were at home for a major period in 2020, therefore we can’t compare data of 2021 with the previous year. Comparing 2021 with 2019 will be more appropriate, which indicates that though cases have gone back to pre-Covid era, detection has improved. We are focusing more on prevention and detection of crime,” said Nagrale.

Detection

Mumbai Police managed to detect all 16 dacoity cases registered in 2021. In 2020, one case of dacoity remained undetected. The police force logged the best detection rates in murder cases (99 per cent), attempt to murder (97 per cent), hurt (93 per cent), robbery (92 per cent), among others.

Meanwhile, theft remains the biggest concern with the lowest of 40 per cent detection. Of the 4,534 theft cases filed in 2021, only 1,870 cases were solved. However, the rate has increased from 35 per cent in 2020 and 36 per cent in 2019.

Another area of concern for Mumbai police is motor vehicle theft with a 47 per cent detection rate. In 2021, 3,282 vehicles were reported stolen and 1,599 were recovered, as opposed to recovery of 1,085 of the 2,801 vehicles reported stolen in 2020.

Dip in body violent crimes

Body offences or violent crimes such as murder, attempt to murder, hurt, rape, dowry death decreased in the city compared to pre-COVID era. In 2019, 12,030 body offences were reported of which 10,540 or 88 per cent were detected, while in 2021, 9,740 such cases were reported and 8,703 or 90 per cent were detected.

33,813
No. of cases filed across the city in 2021

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