House-breaking, dowry harassment, cheating, road accidents and chain-snatching cases increased in Vijayawada police commissionerate limits for the year 2011 against last year. Though the police department is conducting regular review meetings and trying to restrict the offences and accidents it is no use.

Crime records data prepared by the city police revealed that the number of offences increased by 24 per cent in the city in one year. Chain-snatching cases are on the rise in the city. A total of 99 cases were booked this year compared to 74 cases last year. The victims lost gold worth Rs.20.86 lakh this year while the recovery is only Rs.7.45 lakh. Last year, the snachers robbed gold chains and other valuables worth Rs.20.15 lakh and recovery was Rs.13.22 lakh.

Dowry harassment cases are increasing in the city. The cases rose from 576 cases in 2010 to 996 cases in 2011. A separate police station has been functioning for women to deal with dowry harassment cases. In all, 29 minor and major girls were cheated by men/boy friends this year against 17 in 2010. In all, seven rape cases booked in 2011 against eight last year and only one murder for dowry case recorded in 2011 against two last year. By and large, 6,668 cases were booked in all police stations in 2011 against the 5,384 cases recorded last year.

A total of 690 people were injured in accidents and other cases against the 546 last year. Cheating is another problem being faced by gullible people. Cheaters are duping customers of the chits companies and escaping with crores of rupees in the city. But, the common people are not learning any lesson with the past experiences.

Death cases in the road accidents are decreasing. A total of 356 persons died in road accidents in 2010 and the figure declined to 305 this year. While road accidents and injured persons increased this year. Last year, 1,307 accidents cases were registered and 1,295 were injured. This year 1,355 accident cases were booked and 1,398 persons were injured.

City police booked 1,699 cases of dowry harassment, domestic violence and other women-related problems in 2011 against the 1,083 cases in 2010. Police successfully solved engineering student Hepsiba’s murder case and arrested the couple.