Crime Rate Down 14.1% in AP, Gains in Women’s Safety, Cyber Security
Anitha said the specially constituted EAGLE unit has intensified action against interstate narcotics networks and ganja cultivation
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 14.1 per cent reduction in crime over the past two years, reflecting the coalition government’s focus on preventive policing, technology-driven surveillance, and administrative reforms, Home Affairs and Disaster Management minister Vangalapudi Anitha said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat in Amaravati, Anitha said the government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had undertaken comprehensive reforms in law and order, women’s safety, cybercrime prevention, anti-drug operations, disaster management, prison administration, and police welfare.
She emphasised that the government has adopted a proactive approach to crime prevention through CCTV surveillance, drones, artificial intelligence-based analytics, and digital monitoring systems. The emphasis, she noted, is on preventing crimes before they occur, rather than merely responding after incidents.
Highlighting women’s safety initiatives, the minister said special protection units, district-level security mechanisms, and technology-enabled response systems have been strengthened. The Shakti App has received more than 11.15 lakh SOS calls, with authorities responding promptly to emergencies.
Under Operation Muskaan, police traced and reunited 8,396 missing children, women, and elderly persons with their families. The government has also intensified action in POCSO cases through special investigation teams, faster forensic examinations, and victim-support services. A total of 2,293 children have received counselling and rehabilitation assistance.
On the anti-drug front, Anitha said the specially constituted EAGLE unit has intensified action against interstate narcotics networks and ganja cultivation. 56,674 ganja-related cases have been registered, with legal action initiated against 2,366 persons, leading to seizure of assets worth over ₹4 crore.
The minister said cyber war rooms, coordination with banks and telecom firms, and the 1930 cyber helpline have helped protect nearly ₹247 crore from online fraudsters. Emergency response services have improved significantly, with average response time reduced from 30 minutes in 2024 to less than 10 minutes now, while maintaining a 97.47 per cent efficiency rate.
More than 6,000 police personnel have been recruited and 505 gazetted officers promoted. The stipend for police constable trainees has been increased from ₹4,000 to ₹7,500.
Anitha said Andhra Pradesh has strengthened disaster preparedness through 26 NDRF teams, 22 SDRF teams, drone-based monitoring, and early warning systems. She pointed out that coordinated prosecution has secured convictions in 279 major cases, including eight death sentences, demonstrating the government’s commitment to public safety and justice.
