ISLAMABAD: A new patrolling plan has been prepared and put into practice to counter the sharp increase in crime in the city.

Senior police officers told Dawn on condition of anonymity that under the plan the capital had been divided into 64 beats, 24 of them declared sensitive, including 10 most sensitive.

Besides, the strength of the patrolling staff has been doubled.

The 64 beats were identified keeping in view the crime hot spots, populated areas and localities having important and sensitive installations.

They said 10 beats were declared most sensitive and 14 sensitive.

The most sensitive and sensitive areas are located in the limits of Secretariat, Kohsar, Bhara Kahu, Ramna, I-Area and Koral police.

Recently, 440 officials of the police were picked from different divisions and units in two phases and transferred to the Police Lines Headquarters to increase the manpower of the patrolling teams, the officers said, adding on Tuesday an inspector, 41 ASIs, 34 head constables and 103 constables were selected from the logistics, operations, Counter-Terrorism Department, Anti-Riot Unit, Islamabad Traffic Police and Security Division and transferred to the Police Lines Headquarters for inclusion in the patrolling unit.

The capital police have 24 cars and 149 motorcycles for patrolling. Earlier, patrolling unit’s 500 personnel along with 24 cars (known as Falcon Squad) and 100 motorcycles (Eagle Squad) patrolled in the capital in two shifts only.

However, after the increase in the manpower and resources the unit will patrol the city in all the three shifts under the new plan and demarcation of beats.

The Falcon and Eagle squads will patrol in most sensitive and sensitive beats while Eagle Squad will patrol in the remaining 40 beats.

The patrolling unit is being revamped on the lines of Dolphin Squad to respond to emergency calls keeping in view the engagement of the police stations in other policing issues, the officers said.

The unit has been asked to give top priority to emergency calls made to the police helpline of 15.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2022