Bengaluru: 10K students join 'Friends of Police' mission

Bengaluru: Police on Monday intensified awareness programmes on drug abuse and women’s safety in educational institutes and reputed colleges across the city.

More than 800 police personnel, including top cop Seemant Kumar Singh, took part in the drive under the Bengaluru police’s 'Friends of Police' mission aimed at strengthening community policing and involving youth in crime prevention.

Senior police officers addressed students on issues ranging from women’s safety to cybercrime prevention.

As part of the initiative, police teams visited 1,250 schools and colleges across all divisions, sub-divisions, and police station limits. Officers delivered PPT presentations, interacted with students, and urged them to partner with the police in tackling crime, drug abuse, and cybercrime.

The police aim to bring 2.5 lakh students on board as part of the 'Friends of Police'  network to build a safer and more informed city.

'Police's eyes & ears'

On Monday alone, over 10,000 students took a pledge and enrolled as volunteers, committing to act as the police department’s “eyes and ears”.

Singh emphasised that this is not just an awareness programme, but an initiative to strengthen police–public relations.

During the sessions, officers explained the safety apps launched by the Bengaluru police, their features, and how students can use them to share information promptly. The initiative, officials said, will help police detect early signs of trouble at the school and college level and take preventive action.