Cybercrime Police Cells to Come Up in Every District: DGP
Publicity vehicles and drones carrying audio messages are also being used to spread awareness.
Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh will soon have a dedicated cyber war room and a Cyber Guard policy as part of the efforts to deal strictly with cybercrime, DGP Harish Gupta said on Wednesday.
He was inaugurating the Cybercrime Coordination Centre (C4) of the NTR Police Commissionerate on the third floor of Krishna Lanka police station. Developed with the support of the AP police housing corporation, the centre has been equipped with modern technology and specialised facilities.
Gupta said cybercrime had emerged as a serious challenge in the state, comparable to the drug menace. Following the directions of the Chief Minister, the police had “succeeded in bringing the drug menace under control and are now focusing on cyber offences.”
The C4 centres would be established in every district along with specialised teams. About 20 cyber constables would be appointed in each district to strengthen investigations and response.
Gupta stressed the need for immediate reporting in cybercrime cases. Victims should call the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 immediately or lodge complaints through the government’s cybercrime portal to improve the chances of tracing perpetrators and recovering lost money.
Police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu said the C4 centre would analyse information from a victim’s complaint and ensure a digital trail of the offender, follow leads to prevent cyber offences and ensure justice to victims. A dedicated cyber SI would be posted at every police station.
Besides investigating complaints, the officers would conduct awareness programmes in communities and bring cyber-safety measures closer to the public, he said.
The police are also training cyber SIs and personnel in advanced technology and investigation techniques. Under the principle that ‘awareness is the first line of defence against cybercrime’, campaigns featuring characters such as ‘Khaki Babu’ and ‘Cyber Chitti’ are being promoted on social media.
Publicity vehicles and drones carrying audio messages are also being used to spread awareness.
AP police housing corporation managing director M. Ravi Prakash, senior police officers, DCPs, ADCPS and ACPs attended the programme.