Pune: In a bid to tackle rising street-level crime, the Pune Police have launched a comprehensive initiative that combines traditional patrolling with advanced surveillance and digital tools. The strategy targets high-risk areas across the city with the goal of preventing offences such as robbery, chain snatching, and vehicle theft.
A total of 2,576 hotspots have been identified by the Crime Branch based on recurring incidents. To secure these zones, a specialised team known as Cops 24 Marshals has been deployed to patrol these locations at least five times daily. Their efforts are supported by mobile apps like MySafe and Dial 100, which provide real-time updates, incident data, and alert notifications to improve police responsiveness.
The campaign’s pilot phase is underway in the Yerwada and Sahakarnagar divisions, where AI-powered CCTV systems have been introduced to enhance surveillance. These cameras monitor not only public spaces but also the neighbourhoods of repeat offenders. This dual-monitoring method strengthens preventive policing and improves the efficiency of follow-up action.
As part of the initiative, a digitised database comprising nearly 30,000 known criminals has been integrated into the MySafe system. This database includes details such as past offences, current charges, and residential addresses. Police officers and Cops 24 units are responsible for updating the system during their patrols, creating a live, centralised information pool accessible citywide.
Early data suggests a measurable reduction in violent crimes and street-level offences in areas where the initiative has been rolled out. By leveraging both human presence and technology, the Pune Police aim to reduce serious body offences by more than 6% compared to last year.
Among Pune’s five policing zones, Zones III and V feature the largest number of crime-prone areas. Notable hotspots have been identified in localities such as Khadak, Bharti Vidyapeeth, Lashkar, Parvati, Yerwada, Swargate, Kothrud, and Hadapsar.
The entire operation is centrally managed by the Crime Branch, allowing for uniform deployment and streamlined resource management. Surveillance data, predictive analytics, and real-time updates now inform patrolling patterns and operational decisions.
Additional technological enhancements are also being introduced. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are being scaled up to track vehicle movements more efficiently, while AI-enabled cameras are being installed across the city. These smart surveillance systems are capable of detecting and flagging theft, vandalism, traffic violations, and public disturbances without direct human intervention.
So far, 1,500 smart CCTV units have been installed, with the total expected to reach 2,866. These are distributed based on crime trends and traffic data to maximise coverage.
Hotspot Statistics by Zone:
Zone I: 448
Zone II: 687
Zone III: 711
Zone IV: 675
Zone V: 749
Top Police Stations by Number of Hotspots:
Kothrud: 192
Khadak: 148
Bundgarden: 138
Hadapsar: 128
Yerwada: 126
Bharti Vidyapeeth: 122
Parvati: 117
Lashkar: 111
Swargate: 101
Through this hybrid model of technology and manpower, Pune Police are aiming to modernise urban policing, improve response time, and ensure greater public safety across the city.
