Oveall crime rate dips in Coimbatore city, but it's grim up north

Coimbatore: Crime rate has come down in the city in the past three months, compared to the corresponding period last year. In the first three months of 2024, there were 397 incidents of crime, including murder and theft. In the same period this year, the number of crimes have come down to 227.

This fall in crime rate is a reason to cheer. But what has raised concern is that more crimes are being reported in the northern part of the city. Almost all categories of crimes, from murder to mobile snatchings, were more in the north police jurisdiction. This pattern could be seen in 2024 too. In both the years, the number of crimes were almost double in the north division, compared to the south division.

In the north division, Singanallur range, which comprises three police stations, appeared to be the crime-prone area than the rest of the ranges. The south division, comprising RS Puram, Ukkadam, Podanur and Kuniyamuthur, had relatively fewer cases. Among these, RS Puram and Kuniyamuthur reported the least number of cases.

The city police had divided the jurisdictions into north and south for administrative purposes a few years ago. The north division has three ranges – Kattoor, Saibaba Colony and Singanallur. As many as nine police stations – Kattoor, Race Course, Rathinapuri, Singanallur, Peelamedu, Saravanampatti, Saibaba Colony, Kavundampalayam and Thudiyalur - and two all-woman police stations fall under the three ranges.

The north division has four ranges – RS Puram, Ukkadam, Podanur and Kuniyamuthur. At least 11 police stations - RS Puram, Vadavalli, Ukkadam, Variety Hall Road, Bazaar Street, Podanur, Ramanthapuram, Sundarapura, Kuniyamuthur, Karumbukadai and Selvapuram - and two all-woman police stations fall under the four ranges.

Police cite various reasons, including vast geographical terrain and shortage of manpower, for the higher incidence of crime in the north division.

For instance, Singanallur range that falls under north division spreads over a vast area, which is thickly populated and growing fast. It has core city areas as well as periphery like Irugur and Pattanam. "New residential layouts are emerging. So, it's difficult to police such a vast area,'' said a police officer attached to the north division.

On the other hand, areas falling under south division are prominent localities, which have higher numbers of CCTV cameras. The visible policing is also more in the southern part, as it falls under the core city area.

Police say they have begun measures to control the crime rate in the northern part. "We have intensified patrolling, especially night patrolling,'' said a police officer. "We have identified a few localities within the north division that are prone to crimes and places where habitual offenders are living, and increased surveillance there."