PCR sirens to grow louder to ‘deter’ crime

After a moderate amount of success at catching the Delhiite’s eye through incessantly flashing lights, now its time for his ears.

After a moderate amount of success at catching the Delhiite’s eye through incessantly flashing lights, now its time for his ears.

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PCR or police control room vans have now been asked to blare their sirens loudly wherever they go.

"It may seem funny, but the idea is to send a psychological warning to people looking to commit crimes," explained an officer. "Scientifically speaking, anything that has a deterring effect on the eye and ears can have a significant, instructive impact on one's behaviour."

Sources said the move comes after a Union home ministry directive to the police, asking them to make their "presence felt more substantially". The directive, in turn, followed several Supreme Court and high court observations and the December 16 gang rape.

"Several people have told us that they feel less vulnerable as soon as they hear a siren," the officer said.

Sources said residential areas and locations housing popular commercial establishments are the focus of the move. From Monday, the police claimed, police vans near women's colleges and schools would begin sounding their sirens.

"Orders have been issued to put emphasis on patrolling stretches leading to and from such institutions to the main roads instead of static deployment. The idea is to prevent crime against women in addition to just fighting it," the officer added.