Crime rate in Telangana up by 7.15 pc, narcotics cases surge by 46 pc

Hyderabad, Aug 28 (IANS) The overall crime rate in Telangana increased by 7.15 per cent while narcotics cases registered a surge of 46.10 per cent over the three years (2023-2026).

The number of total crime cases rose from 2,65,377 in 2023-24 to 2,84,363 in 2025-26. The crime rate per lakh population increased from 481.58 to 491.59.

Narcotics cases increased from 2,026 in 2023-24 to 2,960 in 2025-26, registering a 46.10 per cent increase over the three years.

Organised crime cases increased from 25 to 451, recording a 1,704 per cent rise. Traffic crime increased from 29,130 cases to 31,891, registering a 9.48 per cent rise.

On the other hand, cybercrime declined from 25,373 to 22,000 cases, a reduction of 13.29 per cent, while economic offences declined from 37,690 to 32,684, a decrease of 13.28 per cent.

These statistics were revealed on Friday when Director General of Police (DGP) C. V. Anand held a half-yearly crime review meeting with senior police officers of all units.

According to a release from the DGP office, grave crimes declined significantly in 2025- 26 compared to the previous year. The number of cases fell from 7,019 in 2024-25 to 6,294 in 2025-26, registering a 10.33 per cent decline. The crime rate per lakh population also declined from 11.21 to 10.88.

Among the major commissionerates, Hyderabad recorded a decline from 1,483 to 1,094 cases, a 26.23 per cent reduction. Cases also declined in Cyberabad from 656 to 613 and in Malkajgiri from 664 to 549.

While grave crimes have declined, non-grave crimes have continued to increase. Cases rose from 2,59,201 in 2023-24 to 2,78,069 in 2025-26, registering a 7.28 per cent increase over three years.

Among commissionerates, Future City recorded a 23.70 per cent rise, Cyberabad 17.32 per cent and Malkajgiri 13.53 per cent. Hyderabad, however, registered a 2.77 per cent decline. Among districts, Komaram Bheem Asifabad recorded a 70.88 per cent increase and Adilabad 60.71 per cent. Medak, Sangareddy, Nalgonda and Narayanpet also recorded increases in non-grave crimes.

The rise in narcotics cases has emerged as a major challenge for the Police Department. Cases increased from 2,026 in 2023-24 to 2,960 in 2025-26, while the crime rate per lakh population rose from 3.68 to 5.12.

Among commissionerates, Cyberabad recorded a rise from 266 to 508 cases, registering a 90.98 per cent increase. Warangal also recorded a 142.31 per cent rise over the three years.

The DGP directed police officers to strictly adhere to professional standards in crime investigation and policing. Crime reviews should not be confined merely to statistics but should involve an in-depth analysis of the causes behind each crime, the modus operandi of offenders, the quality of investigation and the disposal of cases, he said.

He said that the special focus had been placed on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) in recent times.

As a result of the collective efforts of officers and personnel, the CCTNS data update rate, which was earlier in the range of 70–80 per cent, had now reached 96 per cent, which was commendable, he said.

The DGP stressed the need to give greater importance to monthly crime review meetings. Police personnel must strictly follow basic policing practices at the field level, and officers should take it as a matter of professional competition to maintain high standards. All Zonal DIGs and Multi-Zone IGs were directed to examine inspection notes hereafter.

Officers were also instructed to take immediate action on issues identified during district tours and inspections of police stations. They should identify emerging crime trends in advance and formulate specific action plans wherever necessary.

–IANS

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