SoBo safest in Mumbai in 2017, reveals data

South Mumbai has been found to be the safest pocket for the past two years.

South Mumbai continued to remain the safest part of the city in 2017, revealed Mumbai police crime statistics.

South Mumbai was the safest part of the city in 2017, revealed Mumbai police crime statistics. (HT File)

South Mumbai has been found to be the safest pocket for the past two years. The region which has been home to affluent industrialists, powerful politicians and some of Mumbai’s most prominent personalities, also has one-storey houses and chawls in areas like Pydhonie, Nagpada, Agripada, Dongri and Byculla, which were once home to underworld gangs and dons like Karim Lala, Haji Mastan, Yusuf Patel and Dawood Ibrahim.

According to the crime data in 2017, the south region recorded 4,312 cases out of the total 17,051 cases registered across the city. The region recorded less than half the FIRs filed in the western region (10,966 cases) and northern region (9,263 cases).

Despite this, the crime detection rate has not improved. In 2016, the detection was 68%, which dropped to 65% in
2017. The police officers said that compared to the other regions in the city, south Mumbai saw fewer crime cases due to heavy police presence.

Officers said criminal activities are limited to specific pockets of the region.

“Earlier these pockets were known for notorious gangs and underworld activities but our rigorous efforts, along with strong public support, has curbed crime to an extent,” said Pravin Padwal, additional commissioner of police (South).

Police officials also said crime in the region has been controlled, mainly because the area has the Mantralaya and police headquarters, with round-the-clock patrolling.

The data also revealed that apart for crimes like house break-ins during the day, robbery and rape, which have risen slightly, other crimes have gone down considerably.

The police said most cases of thefts were recorded from crowded areas of Pydhonie, Azad Maidan and LT Marg which are home to wholesale markets that stock frozen food, vegetables and electronics.

“The CCTVs and police presence has reduced chain snatchings. Last year, we recorded just five cases of chain snatchings,” said Dyneshwar Chavan, deputy commissioner of police (zone 2).