KATHMANDU, August 2

The Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, on Sunday said it had stepped up security measures to curb crime and make the capital city a safer place to live.

According to the MPCD, it has mobilised 46 Control Room Vehicles and set up 75 pickets across Kathmandu for frisking and ambushing the suspects and fugitives.

Temporary checkpoints have been set up, and foot, vehicle and mobile patrolling has been intensified in and around the Ring Road and outskirts, to combat theft in unattended houses. Cops from the MPR and its all units have fanned out to commercial areas, shopping malls, trade centres, bus stands and other vulnerable places to ensure safety of lives and property.

Officials said more than 2,500 cops had been mobilised for the purpose. As per the security strategy, the number of Quick Response Teams, patrol/mobile units, and reserve units have also been increased. “Cops in civvies have fanned out for intelligence gathering about criminal activities and suspects. They are keeping vigil on entertainment centres, including dance bars and discotheques, as these places are more vulnerable to crimes,” a police official said.

Police officials have also been carrying out monitoring to check black marketing and unethical business practices.

“Our main strategy is to identify vulnerable places and carry out ambush, frisking and long range patrolling.

Controlling and preventing hooliganism, drug smuggling, burglary, robbery, pickpocketing and human trafficking are on top priority,” he said.

The overall crime rate fell by 17.87 per cent in the fiscal year 2014-15 in Kathmandu, but incidents of rapes, attempted murders and banking offences saw an upward trend, according to data maintained by the MPR.

As many as 4,601 crimes were reported in the fiscal year 2014-15, compared to 5,602 in 2013-14 and 3,575 in 2012-13.

In numbers 

• 17.87 per cent: Rate at which crime fell in Kathmandu in the fiscal year 2014-15

• 4,601: Number of criminal incidents reported in the fiscal year 2014-15

• 5,602: Number of criminal incidents reported in the fiscal year 2013-14

• 3,575: Number of criminal incidents reported in the fiscal year 2012-13