Checking street crime has to be focus: Chandigarh DGP

To check street crime has to be the focus of Chandigarh Police, which will evolve joint strategies with the force of satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula, newly appointed DGP of the Union Territory, Sanjay Baniwal said today.

"Street crime is something which shakes general psyche, this should be our focus. Chandigarh Police has done a lot of work on this, but we need to do more. In my meeting with the officers here today, I have told them that to check street crime has to be the focus and to evolve strategy for this is their core work. They will have to give their 200 per cent," the DGP told reporters.

The 1989-batch IPS officer replaced T S Luthra, who was recently transferred to Delhi.

Baniwal, who was special commissioner of Delhi Police was transferred as DGP, Chandigarh earlier this month.

Replying to questions, the DGP said, "crime can never be finished, it will be there, but important thing is that we need to be on top of it. I seek everyone's cooperation to make this city safer for all, for women, children and senior citizens."
Underscoring the need of coordinated approach with police force of neighbouring towns of Mohali and Panchkula, the DGP said, "Chandigarh city is a tricity with satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula and our force needs to have coordinated approach and evolve joint strategies."
Asked if there will be any particular strategy adopted to tackle incidents of chain snatching in the city, he replied, "there is no substitute to men in boots or men on the ground and there is no one-point strategy to dealing with such persistent crimes in the city. As the city grows it starts evolving a character of its own, which makes it difficult to manage these crimes, that's why they keep happening in cities like Delhi, Mumbai. But they can be managed and they need to be managed.."