As we have ended another one year, we all will definitely hope for a happier, peaceful new year. To make the next year better for ourselves we really need to know the “real” problems that are tormenting the stability of our society. National Crime Bureau of India has recently published crime report of 2016 which may help us to know the dominant trend of crimes in our society. The report, unfortunately, shows us time has progressed but we humans are in almost same place. Dowry, rape, domestic violence against woman, human trafficking, kidnapping, has increased with time.

From the ongoing crime trend, we can at least assume how secured a woman in our society is. The recent report, in that case, is not really very impressive. Crime against women has increased by 2.9% in one year which shows us the stark reality.

Uttar Pradesh reported 14.5% (49,262 out of 3,38,954 cases) of total cases of crimes against women followed by West Bengal (9.6%) (32,513 cases) during 2016. Delhi UT reported the highest crime rate (160.4) compared to the national average rate of 55.2

The most horrifying information we can gather from this report is women are not even safe within their house. Still now domestic violence takes away many fresh lives. Majority of cases under crimes against women were reported under ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ (32.6%) followed by ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty’ (25.0%), ‘Kidnaping & Abduction of Women’ (19.0%) and ‘Rape’ (11.5%).

The answer to this question would be a straight no. From Ryan international murder case in Haryana to GD Birla rape case in Kolkata, it is very clear that we can’t provide our next generation a safe adobe. Not only statistics but the statistics also conveys the same message. From 94172 in 2015 to 1,06,958 in 2016, the rate of increase is that much against children.

Crime against Children:

In percentage terms, major crime heads under ‘Crime Against Children’ during 2016 were kidnapping & abduction (52.3%) and cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (34.4%) including child rape. The maximum number of cases of crime against children was reported in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, (15.3%, 13.6% and 13.1% respectively).

Juveniles in conflict with the law:

On the other hand, the tendency of children being involved in crimes has increased by 7.2%. As well as, they are not getting proper protection from society, they are also not getting a proper guide, moral values, and social securities to lead a healthy childhood or adolescence. The children mostly attempted theft which shows lack of social security. Out of poverty, difficulties they are choosing an unfair path to survive. Whereas, they are so immature that to manipulate them or using them for a crime I very easy. Even children from good family steal out of curiosity. But innocence cannot be seen as a major reason as the juveniles in conflict with the law are almost adult belonging to age group of 16 to 18.

Cybercrime across India:

India is heading to a new era in administration through a digital transformation. The use of internet in official works as well as in personal life has increased a lot. Hence, the number of cyber crimes is also rising. In 2016, compared to 2015, the number of cybercrimes increased by 6.3%. The maximum number of cases under cyber-crimes was reported in Uttar Pradesh (2,639 cases) (21.4%) followed by Maharashtra (2,380 cases) (19.3%) and Karnataka (1,101 cases) (8.9%)during 2016.

Motives of Cybercrimes:

To cure a disease, diagnosis is most important. Speculating the motives behind cybercrimes will help to understand the mentality of crime preparatory. Illegal gain is the main motive behind cybercrime. We often hear that a huge amount of money has been withdrawn from someone’s account. Under cybercrime, crimes regarding illegal gain have accounted highest share. Other than that, revenge using online platform remains one of the major cause behind Cybercrimes. Women are not even safe on online platforms. To attack their modesty, the platform of the internet is also being used. Blackmailing, sexual disruption, inciting hate crime against a community are other major motives of cybercrimes.

Violent crimes:

Every day waking up to a news of the murder, kidnapping is so natural to use that nowadays we don’t even pay attention to such news. We perceive such crimes as a very common incident. But whatever, violent crimes have declined by 5.2% over 2016. Data shows Personal vendetta push most people to fall into the trap of violence. State wise comparison says Uttar Pradesh reports the highest number of murder followed by Bihar and Maharashtra.

 Economic Offences:

A country economically sound is definitely a strong power. The less economic offenses take place in a country, the economy becomes stronger. From that aspect, it is definitely a good news that economic offenses declined by 4.4% in 2016. The maximum number of cases under economic offenses were reported in Rajasthan (16.4%) followed by Uttar Pradesh (11.0%) and Maharashtra (9.1%) during 2016. Out of four specified categories of economic offenses viz. criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and counterfeiting, cheating accounted for maximum such cases, with 1,09,611 cases, followed by the criminal breach of trust (18,708 cases) and forgery (13,729 cases) during 2016. Other than that, total 2107 cases were reported for the case of loss of property more than 1 crore.

Which city is safer?

Cybercrime in metro cities:

The NCRB data shows cybercrime in metro cities have increased in 2015 but declined in 2016. In 2014 while in total, 3265 crime was attempted, in 2015 it rose to 4561. Again, in 2016 the number fell down to 4172, though on a minor scale but still we can keep up hope.

If we go by the data, Jaipur witnessed highest number of cybercrimes in 2016. On the other hand, Chennai recorded the lowest number of such crimes. Among major metropolises, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai do not seem cyberlocker. Though our national capital Delhi topped in other crimes, in case of cybercrimes it is safer. Apart from these, Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and Bihar capital Patna are also vulnerable to cyber mafias.

Crime against women:

When we talk about crime against women, we always say Delhi is pathetic. But it is not a myth or rumor. Even NCRB data shows Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against women. Again Delhi’s neighbor Lucknow proves it is not safe for women too. It just follows Delhi on the list. Among important ones, Pune and Bangalore though being favorites for migration don’t seem safe. Comparatively, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad are much safer.

Murder cases:

Taking away someone’s life is always and will remain as one of the worst heinous crimes. Bihar’s Patna shows worst record in case of murder cases though in a major gap but being followed by Maharashtra’s Nagpur. Like other genres, in this compartment also, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Delhi show ultimate lack of safety.

Why some cities are highly vulnerable to crimes while others can ensure safety? To get the answer, let’s check the activity of local police in the cities.

State wise comparison:

In total, IPC crimes have increased by 0.9% and SLL crimes have increased by 5.4% in 2016 if compared to previous year. This is a very dangerous trait as SLL crimes increased means crime against women, the crime against scheduled caste or tribes, environment-related criminal acts increased. The mentality to harm weaker part of the society has increased. In case of IPC crime cases, Delhi tops the chart from crime rate aspect. It’s very unfortunate that even being our national capital Delhi has major loopholes in law and order. Every kind of crime is very much prevalent in the state. If we track the states in the worst situation, we will find Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, Assam. If we go by percentage share, Uttar Pradesh had accounted for 9.5% of total IPC crime reported in the country followed by Madhya Pradesh (8.9%), Maharashtra (8.8%) and Kerala (8.7%).Among the Union Territories Lakshadweep can be called safest as per the data. Uttarakhand sitting in the lap of nature shows least crime records among the states. In case of IPC and SLL crimes together, Kerala and Delhi just change the place. In case of safest states analyzed from the data Tripura, Lakshadweep, Uttarakhand, again shows a lower rate of crimes.

Why Delhi always tops the crime chart?

Almost in every latest data from NCRB, Delhi has always topped the char of crime rate. So, before going into deep analysis we need to know the exact geographic location of Delhi. It is surrounded by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Even, Rajasthan is also a short drive away. So, it is easy for criminals to escape easily. Keeping that factor in mind, preparatory often choose Delhi. Other than the geographical fact, growth in unemployment under the misrule of corrupted Delhi government is another reason for potential increase of crimes in Delhi. People from all over India also migrate to Delhi which can be regarded another reason. If the migrators commit any crime it is not possible for Delhi police to alone solve the case, they have to take help from others too.

Conclusion:

After analyzing the total NCRB report, we can conclude here that with the change of time, types and motives of crime are changing. But one thing remains same. Women and Children are still not protected in our society. The sex discrimination is so deep-rooted in our society that crimes against women never show a trend of decline but rising constantly. Our next generation is also not safe. They are getting attacked and attacking others. Cybercrime is also rising gradually with time. Some cities and states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi are always more vulnerable to crimes. Eradicating crime totally from society is near to impossible. But understanding the crime trends is very important to take more initiatives, preventive measures to keep citizens safe. Along with that awareness, moral value, campaigns are also important. Other than reported cases, there are numerous criminal cases which go unreported. Hence, along with taking complaints or solving cases, it is important to make every citizen aware of their right to get justice, how to launch a complaint, special helplines.