Bhubaneswar: Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh released the annual report of the Commissionerate Police today, emphasizing the importance of community policing in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Singh underlined the need for active citizen cooperation to enhance crime control efforts in the twin cities.
The Commissioner announced plans for 2025, focusing on addressing traffic issues and reducing accident rates. He commended the collective efforts of the police force in maintaining law and order and tackling various crimes effectively.
The annual report revealed that the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD) registered 11,975 cases in 2023, which rose to 14,416 in 2024.
The number of murder cases increased from 52 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, while loot and theft cases showed a decline. In Cuttack UPD, murder cases also increased, rising from 78 in 2023 to 89 in 2024.
However, cases of loot, theft, riots, and traffic-related incidents saw a decrease.
Singh praised the efforts of the Property Offence Protection and Detection (POPD) team, noting a significant decline in property offences in Bhubaneswar.
The police arrested 1,125 individuals in property offence cases and seized assets including 5.55 kg of gold, over 15 kg of silver, 779 mobile phones, and Rs 61.73 lakh in cash.
The report highlighted a surge in cybercrime cases, with 7,263 cases registered in 2024. Over ₹82 crore was defrauded in various cybercrime incidents.
The police successfully froze bank accounts holding Rs 23.6 crore and returned Rs 2.5 crore to victims of online fraud. Singh emphasized ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime through public awareness campaigns and urged citizens to use the toll-free number 1930 to report such cases.
The Commissioner concluded by encouraging residents to actively participate in community policing initiatives, stressing that collective efforts are essential for ensuring safety and progress in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
