Now, ACP-led patrol teams to check crimes at night in city

Chennai City Police top brass reportedly decided to increase night patrolling following the spurt in the cases of robberies, mainly mobile phone snatchings at knifepoint, in the late hours. The crime prevention team would function in addition to the police teams that are currently involved in routine night patrol.

With this, the City Police, which was once known for visible policing during the night time, has once again decided to increase the presence of policemen on the streets.

According to the order issued on Wednesday, each crime prevention team, comprising of 14 personnel, would be headed by an officer in the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Additional Deputy Commissioner in each police district.

The city is divided into 12 police districts, each headed by an officer in the rank of Deputy Commissioner. Apart from an AC or ADC, there would be one inspector, three sub-inspectors, six constables from local police stations and three constables from armed reserve strength who would be part of each special team.

These special teams would work in two shifts: one team would function from 10 pm to 4 am, while the second shift would be from 4 am to 8 am. The order also stated that a Deputy Commissioner would oversee crime prevention teams functioning in each zone, that comprises of three police districts.

The prime duty of the teams will be to conduct vehicle check and prevent chain and mobile phone snatching. The teams are also expected to nab criminals residing in the neighbourhood. They have also been asked to make sure that there are no drag races on city roads in the night besides executing non-bailable warrants (NBW). The teams are also asked to pick suspects and do routine checks on known offenders.

CHENNAI: A total of 564 persons were secured on Tuesday night as part of the storming operation on Tuesday night, a day after the city police detained about 4,000 persons, including 1,125 history-sheeters. The storming operation was planned after 15 cases of robberies and chain snatchings were reported across the city on Sunday night. Of the 564 detained, 20 of them were absconding accused despite non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against them. Also, seven of them were absconding accused while 95 persons were detained under Section 109 and 110 of the CrPC. Remaining 442 others were secured on suspicion. As many as 53 drunk driving cases were also booked, said police sources.