99 percent rise in crime in Delhi in 2014: Police (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) A whopping 147,230 cases of crimes were reported in the national capital in 2014 as compared to the 73,902 in 2013 - an increase of 99.22 percent which include 18.3 percent increase in crime against women, according to data from Delhi Police's annual report.

Of the total number of crime reported in Delhi, only 29.5 percent cases were solved.

Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi however held the sudden increase to every case being filed and police becoming more sensitive towards the issue. He said registration of cases will continue in 2015 as well as it was done in 2014.

"Our men sincerely investigated every case and tried to solve it at the earliest," Bassi told media at the Delhi Police chief's annual press conference.

At least 6,180 cases of robbery were reported in 2014, while the number was 1,106 in 2013. The number of snatching and dacoity cases touched 6,944 and 78 respectively in 2014, from 3,316 and 31 in 2013.

As many as 55,187 people were arrested in connection with the cases of dacoity, robbery, snatching, burglary and vehicle theft, as against 46,714 in 2013.

The number of cases of other heinous crimes such as murders increased from 486 to 561 in 2014. There were 2,069 cases of crime related to women such as rape in 2014, while this number was 1,571 in 2013.

At least 4,179 molestation cases were reported in 2014 as compared to the 3,345 in 2013.

Kidnapping for ransom stood at 37 in 2014, up from 28 in 2013.

There were 12,276 house theft cases in 2014, an increase of 327 percent from the 2,870 cases in 2013.

The number of motor vehicle theft cases stood at 22,223 in 2014 as compared to 13,895 in 2013.

Delhi has also witnessed an 18. 3 percent rise in crime against women in 2014 as compared to 2013, with a whooping 31.6 percent rise in rape cases which stood at 2,096.

On this, Bassi said that in addition to the measures taken by the force, every woman in Delhi would be trained in self-defence.

"We appeal to everyone to join hands with us so that every woman in Delhi gets trained in self defence. I want every woman to have a brown belt in judo," he said.

Bassi also said at lest 87 criminals carrying reward on their heads were arrested and 23 major gangs busted in 2014.

On the issue of terrorism, he said no attack took place in past two years but 13 terrorists, seven from Indian Mujahideen (IM) and three-each from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were arrested in 2014.

Mobile and computer-based technologies like lost report app, traffic police mobile app, police clearance certificate and Himmat were launched in 2014.

"Such people-friendly technologies were launched with an objective to make the police more friendly with the people," said Bassi. He also said more apps will be launched in helping the people to avoid going to police stations for small complaints.