'Pink brigade' to fight crimes against women, kids

The vehicles, Toyoto Innova cars, were purchased at the cost of Rs 7.5 crore as part of the Central government’s initiative to ensure the safety of women at public places. Chennai was one of the eight cities selected for Centre’s Special Women Safety programme and Rs 425 crore was allocated to the city with contribution from the Centre and State governments.

The patrol vehicles, painted in pink and bearing child and women helpline numbers, have been given to all 35 All-Women Police Stations (AWPS) in the city. They would be engaged in continuous patrol in their jurisdiction, in addition to the patrol by the law and order police. “Women and children related complaints received by the police control room would be forwarded to the patrol vehicle and the officers would be rushed to the spot. Till now, the vehicles given to the inspectors were being used for the purpose,” said an all-women police inspector.

She said that they have been instructed to be around schools, colleges, temples, shopping complexes, beaches, IT firms, railway stations, bus stops and other public places.

The vehicles are equipped with cameras in the front and back and the videos can be live-steamed at the police control room. The vehicles are also attached with GPRS and its live location could be tracked anytime. It also has a mike-speaker for public addressing system.

The Pulianthope AWPS police used the Amma Patrol vehicle on Monday for an awareness programme at a college in Kannikapuram.