The tri-commissionerate collectively reported 1,06,763 crime cases in 2024, a rise of over 40% from 75,933 in 2023.
While Cyberabad recorded the maximum number of overall crimes and cyber crimes, Hyderabad saw a jump in property crimes. Rachakonda reported a drop in cases of crime against women, but rape cases jumped by 17%.
As per the annual reports released by the three police commissioners, the IT-hub of the city, Cyberabad recorded a rise of 64.88% (37,689 cases) led by cyber crimes (122%), property offences (61%), criminal trespass (38.2%), economic offences (38%), not-fatal and non-injury road accidents (36%) and dowry harassment cases (30%).
In Hyderabad, bodily crimes, including murders, culpable homicides, cheating, and kidnappings, saw an increase of 65.74%. Property offences, including dacoity, thefts, and robbery, rose by 50.04%, while cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POSCO) Act climbed by 21.02%, contributing to an overall 41% increase in crime.
Rachakonda, while reporting a 4% increase in overall crime cases, from 27,586 in 2023 to 28,626 in 2024, saw a rise in serious offences. Murders increased by 11%, kidnappings by 10%, sexual assaults (including cases involving false marriage promises) by 17%, and dowry harassment cases by 13%.
Cyber crimes surge
Cyber crimes were a major contributor to the rise in reported cases across all the three commissionerates, with Cyberabad emerging as the epicentre. The region saw a staggering 122% increase in cyber crime cases, with 11,914 incidents reported in 2024, compared to just 5,361 in 2023. Among these, ‘digital arrest’ frauds experienced an explosive 882.35% increase, resulting in losses amounting to ₹80.57 crore. Overall, the tri-commissionerate saw citizens losing a combined ₹1,259 crore to cyber criminals across 20,414 cases in 2024.
Rachakonda witnessed a 74% increase in cybercrime cases, with 4,458 incidents reported compared to 2,562 in 2023, amounting to losses of over ₹170 crore. In Hyderabad, 4,042 cybercrime cases were reported, a 47% rise from the 2,735 cases in 2023, with losses totaling ₹296 crore.
Crackdown on narcotics
The crackdown on narcotics and drug suppliers was the focus of police in 2024. Cyberabad led with 421 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a 51% increase from 278 cases in 2023. Police arrested 954 offenders and seized 2,714.77 kg contraband worth ₹24.92 crore.
Hyderabad recorded 322 drug-related cases, with seizures worth ₹88 crore, while Rachakonda reported 521 arrests and ₹88.25 crore seized narcotics.
Number of crime cases against women almost remained the same last year. While cases in Hyderabad saw a slight increase of 2.3% from 2,424 in 2023 to 2,482 in 2024, Rachakonda and Cyberabad recorded a fall of 9% and 2% respectively.
Dowry harassment cases grew by 30% in Cyberabad from 1,030 in 2023 to 1,343 cases in 2024. In Rachakonda, dowry deaths jumped by 13% from 16 to 18. Rachakonda and Cyberabad reported a decline in overall crime against women by 9% and 2% respectively.
Published – December 27, 2024 09:14 pm IST
