More women officers man PCR vans now

Women’s safety has always been a big issue in the Capital. But the Delhi Police is on a mission to make them feel less vulnerable, reports Karan Choudhury.

Women’s safety has always been a big issue in the Capital. But the Delhi Police is on a mission to make them feel less vulnerable.

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The police are making efforts to increase vigilance in certain areas and pockets of the city. They are also trying to sensitise the force to become more ‘women friendly’.

Apart from organising self-defence camps in schools, colleges and residential areas and setting up an anti-obscene call cell to tackle obscene calls on the phone, the Delhi Police has increased the number of female police personnel in the Police Control Room (PCR).

Woman Mobile Teams:

“There has been a marginal increase in the number of female personnel in PCR vans all over the city. It was done as a conscious decision to make PCR more women friendly,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Operations) Satyendra Garg.

“We have Sub-inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors and other personnel in these vans.”

The police have also increased vigilance in and around Delhi University and other women colleges and schools.

“Woman mobile teams keep a watch at these places. Most of the officers in these teams are women,” said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

How to stay safe?

Delhi Police has also come out with a few guidelines, which they believe would help women.

“Keeping your car windows rolled up and doors locked while driving can help prevent women from getting in sticky situations. If it is very late in the night they can always call up a PCR van who can drop them home,” added the officer.