27% people in Mumbai don’t report crimes for lack of time: Survey

The second highest reason stated by 13% respondents was not having faith in the police/legal system

Time is precious is a known fact but Praja Foundation’s report revealed that it is so precious to crime witnesses and victims in Mumbai that lack of it makes them not report a crime. The NGO released a white-paper on state of policing and law and order in the city.

The NGO released a white-paper on state of policing and law and order in the city.(HT Pic for Representation)

“27% of citizens across wall wards stated lack of time as a major reason for crimes not being reported,” said the survey analysis. The second highest reason stated by 13% respondents was not having faith in the police/legal system followed by 11% people who said they don’t want to get involved in any trouble. 

Nine percent of respondents said speaking to police officials is a painful task. The other reasons was ‘I don’t think it’s my duty to inform them’ with 7% people backing it, while the remaining 33% chose ‘other’ reasons behind not reporting crime. 

The highest number of people (50% respondents) to have gone for ‘lack of time’ as a reason were from north central Mumbai comprising areas like Vile Parle, Kurla and Bandra. 

20% respondents from north west Mumbai comprising Jogeshwari, Goregaon and Andheri hesitated to report because they feel speaking to police officials is a painful task. Residents of South Mumbai (23%) from Worli, Byculla, Colaba and Malabar Hill picked ‘don’t want to get involved in any trouble’ as the highest reason. 

For those who have been victimised, 26 % stated lack of time, 13 % said they do not have faith in police/legal system, 12 % found speaking to the police a painful task, 5% thought it is not their duty to inform, 8% did not want to get involved in any trouble while 36% listed ‘other reasons.’ 

“The analysis is based on interviewing around 25,000 respondents from various sections of the society. The results reveal the issues faced by the people towards the criminal justice system. For example, in an accident case, people still hesitate to help as there is a mindset on how to deal with any government agency,” said Nitai Mehta, founder and managing trustee of Praja Foundation. 

The survey also revealed that higher percentage of residents (60%) in South Mumbai and (55%) in south central Mumbai (Chembur, Sion Koliwada, Mahim) have personally faced crime and 83% people in north east Mumbai (Mulund, Ghatkopar, Shivaji Nagar) and 82% in south central Mumbai have informed police.