Fall in crime rate during World Cup, say police

Daytime crime in the city seems to have a new antidote – cricket. Surabhi Vaya reports.

Daytime crime in the city seems to have a new antidote – cricket. Statistics from the Mumbai police point to a sudden dip in the city’s daytime crime rate in the week of the semi-finals and finals of the recent World Cup.

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Data obtained by the Hindustan Times shows an approximately 64% fall in the number of daytime housebreakings and thefts from March 28 to April 2, when both matches were played, compared to the week before.

According to Mumbai police’s crime statistics, 19 cases of daytime housebreakings and thefts were registered from March 21 to March 27, but only seven cases the week after. “The increased security and preventive measures have definitely helped,” said Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (law and order). Roy told HT that heightened security acts as a deterrent as the chances of criminals getting caught are greater. “This is especially true for repeat offenders,” Roy said.

While the figures for daytime crime showed a fall, there was a surge in robbery, night-time housebreakings and motor vehicle thefts in the same period. In the week during the semi-finals and finals, there was a 22% rise in motor vehicle thefts compared to the week before.

“Rise in night housebreakings by 7% points to a trend that it is easier for offenders to function at night in such cases,” said an officer on the condition of anonymity.

The police further said increased security before the finals was what deterred crime in the daytime. “The rise in crime at night shows that offenders feel less exposed even in areas with high security,” the officer said.