Ghaziabad: The city may have recorded fewer crimes overall in 2024, but the latest NCRB data showed that more cases were filed in serious offences like murder, rape and crimes against children. Vehicle thefts and hit-and-run cases also went up, the data revealed.The city registered 10,530 criminal cases in 2024, down 7.5% from 11,384 in 2023. The figure was 13,207 in 2022 and 16,495 in 2021, indicating a steady fall in overall crime in the past four years.Yet, heinous crimes showed a different trend. Murder cases rose 20% to 53 in 2024, from 45 in 2023. The number stood at 61 in 2022 and 25 in 2021. Rape cases also increased, with 93 cases registered in 2024, compared with 83 in 2023 and 68 in 2022.Kidnapping cases saw a steep rise, reaching 463 in 2024 from 33 in 2023 and 55 in 2022. Police said many of these involved young people leaving homes to marry. According to police, 86% of missing men and 87% of women were traced in 2024.Crimes against children rose 124%, from 208 cases in 2023 to 465 in 2024. Of these, 247 were registered under Pocso Act. In 2023, 169 of 208 cases were under Pocso Act, while 18 were related to kidnapping and abduction. In 2022, the city recorded 189 cases of crime against children, including 134 under Pocso and 50 for kidnapping and abduction.Property and street crimes also remained a concern. Vehicle thefts rose 7% to 1,874 in 2024, from 1,740 in 2023, though still below 2,036 in 2022. House burglaries edged up to 178 in 2024 from 177 in 2023 and 144 in 2022.At the same time, crimes against women fell 26%, from 904 cases in 2023 to 669 in 2024. The figure was 1,063 in 2022. Dowry deaths dropped to 18 in 2024 from 26 in 2023 and 32 in 2022. Cases of assault on women with intent to outrage modesty also declined sharply to 57 in 2024, from 146 in 2023 and 130 in 2022.Fatalities in hit-and-run cases increased as well. In 2024, Ghaziabad recorded 204 hit-and-run cases in which 467 people were killed. In 2023, there were 164 such cases with 187 deaths. In 2022, 197 cases were reported, with more than 200 deaths.Economic offences fell to 775 in 2024 from 1,004 in 2023 and 1,024 in 2022. Cybercrime too declined, from 880 cases in 2023 to 479 in 2024. The figure was 626 in 2022.A senior police officer said awareness drives under ‘Mission Shakti’ were being carried out in schools to educate children about abuse, including “good touch and bad touch”, and about precautions they should take.On rape cases, the officer said police were trying to ensure strong court convictions and support survivors through the justice process. He added that police were also monitoring people previously involved in molestation or sexual assault and reopening their criminal histories where needed.On robberies and burglaries, the officer said police were preparing a list of repeat offenders who target people on roads. “Dedicated teams are closely watching their activities. More action will be taken against such criminals in the city,” he added.
