City records 37% rise in cyber crimes in 2014

The city recorded a 37 per cent rise in the cyber crime rates in 2014. The number shot up from 479 in 2013 to 655 last year. Offences such as sending objectionable messages and emails were the most commonly record crimes. 105 cases of SMS stalking and e-mails were recorded followed by that of uploading fake profiles of women on social media platforms (90) which shot from 16 last year.

Also online frauds rose to 18 from six last year; debit and credit card frauds increased to 61 from 29. There were 14 cases of 'Nigerian lottery' scam, against eight in 2013. On the rise in cyber crime, City Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy said that the use of computers and other digital technologies in various public domains has increased, which can explain the phenomenon.

"The city police are getting ready to tackle this challenge and we are strengthening our cyber crime investigation cell, purchasing latest technologies and training the personnel in advanced techniques," Reddy said. The police have also set up a 'market intelligence wing' to prevent the cyber crime.

Meanwhile, other crime rates have also have shot up. The cases registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) stood at 16,537, a little more than 16,359 in 2013. “From 19,110 in 2013 to 21,035 in 2014, the overall crime cases registered an increase of 10 per cent. There has been a sharp rise in rape cases,” said Mahendar Reddy while releasing the city’s annual crime statistics.

"Yes, the number of rape cases has gone up. In the last few years the graph has been on the rise. In our analysis we have a feeling that more women are coming forward and lodging complaints. We are encouraging women to come out and lodge complaints," Reddy said.

Crimes against women, however, saw a decline to 2,790 cases this year compared with 3,173 last year. However, the cases of rape showed an increase: 145 this year against 102 in 2013. "Overall, the crime is under control. Our effort and focus next year will be to use more technology and go for more evidence-based measures," the commissioner said.

Besides, there were 356 cases of kidnapping reported against 130 last year, Reddy said, adding that following a Supreme Court ruling, 'missing person' cases, especially those involving children and girls, are now included in the same category. There were 52 robberies, ten dacoities, 699 house- breakings, and 3,649 thefts.

There were 26 NDPS Act (narcotic drugs-related) cases in the city this year, in which 60 persons including 22 foreigners were arrested and 166 grams of cocaine and 200 bundles of Khat leaves were seized, among other banned substances. About the probe into the death of an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly set afire at Mehdipatnam Garrison in October, Reddy said, "A special investigation team has been constituted and the probe is going on. We are confident...if (we come across) any clues, we will definitely proceed and take action."

Asked about the prostitution racket busted by city police, which allegedly involved a Telugu actress, the commissioner said that a higher court had set aside the order of lower court that had directed that the actress be kept in a rescue home. Police had come under fire following the action against the actress. "If there is an issue we will definitely inquire into that but as far as our action is concerned it was justified. Appropriate action was taken as per the facts," Reddy said.