Prevent or minimize crime
There is need of a serious study of the underlying causes that lead to violent
crime and crime against women. Crimes against women includes rape, abduction,
assault and cruelty by husband and relatives. The murder rate today has
declined to the level prevailing in the 1950s. One question that needs to be analysed is,
how much does social development influence a reduction in crime?
Police forces have been directed to record the crime with greater
sensitivity, and some measures initiated to make public places safer for women.
This approach could lead to a reduction in violent crime over time. A focussed
programme to universalise education and skills training would potentially keep
juveniles from coming into conflict with the law.
There are also basic issues that need urgent reform, such as modernising
the police, recruiting the right candidates and teaching them to uphold human
rights. With genuine measures, Ministerial superintendence over the police
would become more transparent and socially accountable, eliminating political
interference in its working. This would lead to a reduction in crimes committed
with impunity and raise public confidence in the criminal justice delivery
system.
Crimes committed by juveniles is another headache for the police force. Parents
and schools should not encourage children to use motorised vehicles. However,
the incidents of juveniles getting involved in crime seems to be high in the
city. Most of them are
cases of cellphone snatching. Children in the age group of 12 to 16 are
involved in the crime or are made to by some elders. Each phone is sold for
₹1,000.
A senior police officer said that juveniles are getting involved in chain
snatching cases too. Most often they ride pillion and snatch the chain from
pedestrians. The money from the loot is used to purchase narcotic substances.
Repeat offenders are also on the rise in city. There has been a steady
increase in tendency of a
convicted criminal to reoffend. A survey so far showed a decline in the number
of repeat offenders in 2017, at least in the heinous crimes category. The data
also showed an increase in the number of juvenile repeat offenders. The number
of new offenders among adults and juveniles are also on the rise.
The police have taken several measures this year. First, a record of
habitual offenders is maintained and beat officers keep a check on them.
Secondly, there is externment proceedings by Deputy Commissioners of Police.
Repeat offenders are called to the DCP office for a hearing and asked to
explain what they have been doing.
The police have been registering cases under more serious sections like
the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against repeat
offenders. According to the Delhi Police’s data, the percentage of habitual
offenders, at least in heinous crimes, has dipped. While the police are taking
strict measures to curb recidivism, Delhi-based criminal psychologist Anuja
Kapur said arrestees need counselling inside prison to reduce the number of
repeat offenders. According to her, prisoners need proper counselling and there
is negligible presence of professional help on that front.
However, a clinical and criminal psychologist say that counselling helps
little in the case of repeat offenders. There is a reason for an increase in
repeat offenders. It is because they are not scared of punishment. What law
enforcement agencies need to do is keep a close watch on offenders and prevent
crimes, like it happens in other countries. Also, they need to carry out
investigations in a diligent manner so that offenders don’t get away with
crimes.
Our state comes across a big number of cases under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSOA). The state also is known for economic
offences and cyber crime. Crimes against women is a sensitive subject. The
number of cases is also an indicator that victims are coming forward, thanks to
the sustained efforts by the police and the social media.
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