RAWALPINDI: As the Rawalpindi police claim to bring the crime rate down by 36 per cent compared to 2023, the residents still feel insecure about visiting commercial centres and public spaces.

According to the Police Helpline 15 data, there has been a significant decrease of 23pc in property crimes this year.

This year, there was a 2pc decrease in cases of serious nature, such as murders. 292 murders were reported in 2024, while 285 murders were reported in 2023.

Likewise, a record 67pc decrease in blind murder cases was recorded in 2024, as only six cases were reported in 2024 compared to 10 cases last year.

Police statistics showed three kidnapping-for-ransom cases were recorded this year compared to the nine cases reported last year.

A 65pc decrease was recorded in robbery-murder cases compared to the previous year, while the accused involved in all cases were brought to justice.

In 2023, 33 cases of dacoity with murder were reported, but in 2024, only 25 cases of dacoity with murder were reported.

The dacoity and robbery cases recorded a decrease of 24pc and 67pc, respectively, compared to the previous year, as 31 dacoity cases were reported in 2023, while 25 such cases were reported in 2024.

Stats show over 2,400 drug dealers arrested this year

A 50pc decrease was recorded in vehicle snatching incidents compared to last year, while car snatching was completely controlled in the last four months of this year, according to the police.

Police said robbery cases of all types dropped to 2,806 in 2024 from 4,689 cases last year.

A 34pc decrease in motorcycle snatching incidents was recorded compared to last year, as 743 motorcycles were snatched in 2023 while 554 motorcycles were snatched in 2024.

There was a decrease of 86pc and 48pc in cases pertaining to vehicle and motorcycle thefts, respectively.

573 cars were stolen in 2023, whereas 351 cars were stolen in 2024. Likewise, 7,746 motorcycles were stolen in 2023 but in 2024, only 5,343 motorcycles were stolen.

390 other vehicles were stolen in 2023 compared to 167 other vehicles in 2024.

891 suspects arrested

The police arrested 891 suspects belonging to 366 gangs this year, and goods worth Rs250 million, 110 vehicles, and more than 1,500 stolen motorcycles were recovered.

More than 2,400 drug dealers were arrested and goods worth Rs600 million were recovered, according to the police statistics.

During the crackdown on drug dealers, about 35 maunds (40kg) of hashish, more than 50kg of heroin, more than 20kg of opium, 5.5kg of ice, and more than 15,000 litres of alcohol were recovered from the accused in 2,497 cases.

Police statistics revealed that 1667 cases were registered and 1673 accused were arrested in the operation against illegal weapons. The police claimed to have recovered 64 Kalashnikovs, over 2,100 pistols, 108 rifles, and thousands of bullets from the suspects.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2024