Crimes Against Women Up 14% In Vizianagaram Despite Overall Crime Drop

Visakhapatnam: Vizianagaram district recorded a sharp decline in overall crime in 2025, but crimes against women rose by 14 per cent, emerging as a key area of concern, Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar said during the annual crime review meeting held on Saturday.

Total registered cases fell from 7,352 in 2024 to 4,880 in 2025, a reduction of 34 per cent. However, crimes against women increased from 367 cases in 2024 to 419 in 2025, largely due to a rise in dowry harassment and outraging modesty cases.

Property offences declined by 25 per cent, dropping from 539 to 407 cases. Road accidents reduced marginally by four per cent, from 633 cases in 2024 to 607 in 2025, while bodily offences dipped slightly from 447 to 438 cases.

The ‘Others’ category witnessed a steep fall from 4,948 cases in 2024 to 2,620 in 2025. Cheating cases dropped sharply from 78 to 17, while criminal breach of trust cases reduced from 26 to 19.

Crimes against children under the POCSO Act remained almost stable, with 58 cases in 2024 and 57 in 2025. Cases involving Scheduled Castes showed a marginal decline from 62 to 61.

Cybercrime continued to pose challenges, though cases fell from 91 in 2024 to 63 in 2025. Financial losses due to cyber fraud stood at Rs 73.15 lakh in 2024 and Rs 48.24 lakh in 2025. Police froze Rs 12.43 lakh and Rs 5.79 lakh during the two years and returned Rs 10.27 lakh and Rs 9.03 lakh, respectively, to victims.

In enforcement action, 260 excise cases were registered in 2025, resulting in 270 arrests and the seizure of 1,489 litres of illicit liquor and 23 vehicles. In ganja-related cases, 87 cases were booked, 270 persons arrested, and 1,175 kg of contraband worth ₹54.15 lakh seized along with 37 vehicles.

Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, police booked 104 cases and arrested 133 persons. In cattle theft cases, 1,388 animals were recovered and 108 vehicles seized. Drunk driving checks led to 4,825 cases, 64 convictions and fines amounting to ₹15.20 lakh.

Missing persons cases rose slightly from 374 in 2024 to 379 in 2025, with police tracing 338 and 316 cases respectively.

To strengthen surveillance, police installed 3,317 new CCTV cameras, aiding detection in 60 cases. Four drones were deployed for monitoring major events, and 49 body-worn cameras were used during night patrols and public gatherings.

Public grievance redressal recorded a 95 per cent disposal rate, with 1,930 of 2,038 complaints resolved, achieving an 82 per cent satisfaction level. The chargesheet filing rate stood at 72 per cent, while the conviction rate was 54 per cent.

SP Damodar said convictions during the year included five life sentences and 11 sentences of 20 years or more. Police also conducted awareness campaigns such as ‘Sankalp’ programmes against drugs, cycle rallies, and installed 503 LED message boards on public demand. A total of 13,890 registrations were made under the Shakthi initiative for women’s safety.