Bengaluru cops leverage tech, crime data to bring down property offences

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police are leveraging technology and utilising surveillance gap analysis, crime hotspot mapping and have been equipping their staff with modern software with access to a vast criminal database for tackling property offences.  

According to police records accessed by DH, property offences in Bengaluru fell over 10% from 12,441 in 2023 to 11,089 in 2024. This year, until May, the city reported 3,113 cases, indicating a further drop. 

There are multiple categories of such offences: murder for gain, dacoity, robbery, chain snatching, house break-ins and theft (day and night), house thefts and servant thefts, motor vehicle thefts, ordinary thefts and cattle thefts. 

Murders for gain have dwindled since 2022, when 17 cases were reported, followed by two in 2023, nine in 2024 and four so far this year. Most cases are reported under the motor vehicle theft category, followed by house thefts. 

Senior policemen told DH that several measures had been implemented, especially for technological advancement and to provide the investigators access to a real-time criminal database. 

Police also conduct surveillance gap analyses to identify areas that lack monitoring, and have installed or have directed the staff to install CCTVs in such areas. Police have further identified 442 low-light and dark places and have directed the installation of street lights. 

“Crime hotspot mapping is a crucial step that is undertaken routinely, where, using data, investigators identify the areas that are prone to property-related offences. They use historic data, like past FIRs and real-time data gathered from the ground. The results can then be used to decide whether deploying more beat officers is required and how those areas can be further strengthened,” a senior police officer told DH. 

In an ongoing exercise, until May this year, police have geotagged over 5.75 lakh CCTV cameras installed in public areas in the city. These cameras are geotagged to the Mobile Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (MCCTNS), providing quick access to the camera details through a dedicated app the moment a crime occurs. Police also use MCCTNS for checks at night on suspicious people. 

Modernised database 

To bolster quick detections, police officers are given modern software with access to extensive criminal databases. Many of these have been implemented under the Safe City project. 

Field Operation Platform (FOP) is one such database that provides real-time data and advanced analytics on the go. Police also maintain a modus operandi bureau (MOB) to keep track of different methods employed and a database of repeat offenders. 

“There is also a constant monitoring of perpetrators released from jails, and in some cases, preventive arrests will be executed,” an officer said.