Latest news with #PunjabSafeCitiesAuthority
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Organised crime drops in Gujranwala: police
Gujranwala has seen a notable decrease in organised and property-related crimes during the first four months of 2025, with police crediting aggressive anti-gang operations and the use of digital surveillance tools for the improvement. According to statistics from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, calls to emergency helpline Pucar-15 reporting shop robberies dropped by 47% compared to the same period in 2024. Other key categories also saw declines: shop dacoities were down by 20%, house robberies by 29%, shop burglaries by 11%, and car thefts by 14%. City Police Officer (CPO) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muhammad Ayyaz Saleem attributed the reduction to the dismantling of inter-district criminal networks and enhanced monitoring efforts. "In just four months, we arrested 290 members of 113 gangs and recovered stolen property worth Rs70.7 million," said DIG Saleem. The total value of recovered property during this period stood at Rs128.8 million. Efforts to reduce repeat offences have also been intensified through implementation of the Restriction of Habitual Offenders Act, 1918, under which individuals with repeated criminal records are subject to movement restrictions and periodic check-ins at a designated monitoring centre. Technology has played a pivotal role in prevention. "We've revised our patrolling strategies using crime hotspot mapping and conduct snap checking through the E-Police Post App," the DIG explained. Between January and April 2025, over 390,000 individuals and more than 318,000 vehicles were checked via the app, resulting in the arrest of 220 proclaimed offenders and recovery of 1,161 stolen vehicles. The crackdown also extended to narcotics and illegal weapons. Police registered 1,085 drug-related cases in the first four months of the year, leading to the seizure of 199kg of heroin, 811kg of charas, 13kg of opium, 600 grams of methamphetamine ("ice"), and over 4,700 litres of liquor. In 858 cases related to illegal arms, 872 suspects were arrested and police recovered 58 Kalashnikovs, 76 rifles, 45 shotguns, 688 pistols, and over 5,400 bullets. A marked increase in arrests of proclaimed offenders, particularly those classified as Category-A, was also reported. Police said 3,740 such individuals were taken into custody from January to April. On the violent crime front, Gujranwala police reported progress in murder investigations. From January 2024 onward, 580 suspects were arrested in 292 murder cases, including 31 blind murder cases. Additionally, 29 individuals were held in connection with 18 robbery-cum-murder incidents. Authorities claimed a 90% resolution rate in blind murder cases for 2024. In line with provincial directives prioritising the safety of women and children, the police also stepped up arrests in sexual violence cases. In the first four months of 2025, 27 individuals were arrested in 11 gang rape cases, 52 suspects in 51 rape cases, and 66 individuals in 46 incidents involving rape or sodomy of minors. DIG Saleem said, "We are committed to making Gujranwala safer for all its citizens through proactive policing, strategic planning, and an unwavering crackdown on organised crime."
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Security beefed up for cricket fixtures
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has completed security arrangements for the Champions Trophy. According to details, the monitoring of matches being played in Lahore and Rawalpindi is underway using the latest surveillance systems. Monitoring is being done inside and outside the Qaddafi and Rawalpindi stadiums through Safe City cameras. For match security, monitoring continues with over 600 cameras, including facial recognition. Surveillance is being carried out 24 hours a day from the airport, hotel to the stadium, and surrounding routes. The spokesperson for the Safe Cities Authority stated that virtual patrolling officers and technical teams are on duty 24/7 at the Safe City Headquarters.
