Hyderabad witnessed a notable reduction in its overall crime rate in 2025, according to the city police’s annual report, released by Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjannar on Saturday. While the overall decline signals progress in law enforcement efforts, certain concerning trends emerged, particularly in crimes targeting women and children, highlighting areas that require intensified focus.

Overall Crime Trends in 2025

The Hyderabad police recorded a total of 30,690 criminal cases in 2025, marking a 15% decline from 35,944 cases in 2024. The reduction spans across major categories of crime, including bodily offences, property-related crimes, and cases registered under special laws.

Grave bodily offences, including murder and attempt to murder, saw a modest fall of 4%, reflecting some improvement in curbing severe violent acts. Meanwhile, overall bodily offences—including non-grave crimes such as assault and physical harassment—declined more sharply, by 16%, demonstrating effective policing at the local level. Property crimes also showed significant improvement, dropping by 28%, reflecting both preventive measures and more effective recovery of stolen property.

Sajjannar attributed the overall reduction in crime to “intensified and visible policing” across the city. “We have strengthened patrolling, introduced targeted crime-mapping strategies, and ensured rapid response teams are deployed in sensitive areas. In the coming days, we will work harder to curb property offences and the activities of seasoned criminals,” he said.

Rising Crimes Against Women and Children

Despite the overall positive trend, the data reveals troubling developments regarding crimes against women and children. Crimes against women increased by 6%, from 2,482 cases in 2024 to 2,625 cases in 2025. Cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act surged by 27%, rising from 449 to 568 cases during the same period, indicating growing vulnerability among minors.

A closer look at crimes against women shows a mixed pattern. On one hand, rape cases dropped sharply by 31%, from 584 in 2024 to 405 in 2025, suggesting some success in curbing sexual assault through preventive measures and stricter investigation protocols. Kidnapping of women also saw a decline of 27%.

However, the report highlighted an alarming increase in cases of cruelty by husbands, which rose by 31%, contributing significantly to the overall uptick in crimes against women. Cases related to outraging the modesty of women showed a slight decline, indicating that while certain types of offences are decreasing, domestic violence remains a persistent challenge.

Commissioner Sajjannar stressed that the rise in domestic violence cases necessitates sustained attention from law enforcement and social support systems. “Domestic violence is often underreported, and its rise indicates the need for more community awareness programs and active intervention by authorities,” he said.

Cybercrime Trends

The report also noted developments in cybercrime, which has become an increasingly significant concern in urban centres like Hyderabad. In 2025, the city recorded 3,735 cases of cybercrime, an 8% decline from 4,042 cases in 2024.

While the number of cases fell, the total financial loss from cybercrime remained substantial, amounting to ₹319 crore, slightly lower than the ₹385 crore recorded the previous year. The detection rate for cybercrime was 18%, with 566 accused arrested and ₹30.05 crore refunded to victims.

The commissioner highlighted the impact of cybercrime on victims, noting that some cases resulted in extreme distress, including instances of suicide. “Digital crimes cause financial and emotional losses, sometimes driving victims to extreme measures. Law enforcement is taking steps to strengthen monitoring, tracking, and quick redressal of complaints,” Sajjannar said.

Analysis of Factors Contributing to Crime Trends

The overall reduction in crime can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Visible Policing and Patrols: The deployment of police personnel in sensitive areas, crime hotspots, and major public spaces has contributed to the deterrence of both violent and property crimes.
2. Technology-Driven Enforcement: Implementation of CCTV networks, traffic monitoring systems, and crime-mapping tools has enabled faster detection and response.
3. Community Engagement: Programs involving citizen participation, neighborhood policing, and public awareness campaigns have improved information flow and cooperation between the police and local communities.
4. Targeted Operations Against Repeat Offenders: Focused actions against seasoned criminals and repeat offenders have contributed to the reduction in property offences and bodily crimes.

At the same time, the rise in domestic violence and crimes against children highlights the limitations of traditional policing measures in addressing socially rooted issues. Experts suggest that combating such crimes requires a combination of law enforcement, social intervention, and preventive education programs to tackle underlying causes, such as family conflicts, socio-economic stress, and lack of awareness about legal recourse.

Government and Police Initiatives

To address these emerging challenges, the Hyderabad Police have implemented a variety of initiatives:

• Rapid Response Teams (RRTs): Dedicated teams deployed for quick action in cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual offences.
• Victim Support Cells: Centres providing counselling, legal assistance, and rehabilitation services for women and children affected by crimes.
• Cybercrime Monitoring Units: Specialised units for tracking online frauds, phishing scams, and financial crimes, with improved reporting mechanisms.
• Awareness Campaigns: Public campaigns and workshops aimed at educating citizens, particularly women and children, about their rights and safety measures.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Recommendations

While Hyderabad’s overall crime reduction is a positive development, the rise in specific categories of offences indicates the need for continuous vigilance and adaptive policing strategies. Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach:

1. Enhanced Domestic Violence Intervention: Strengthening helplines, community policing, and rapid legal action for domestic abuse cases.
2. Child Protection Measures: Expanding awareness programs in schools and local communities, coupled with stricter enforcement of POCSO Act provisions.
3. Cybersecurity Awareness: Increasing digital literacy, safe online practices, and rapid response to cyber threats to mitigate financial and emotional harm.
4. Data-Driven Policing: Leveraging crime analytics to predict trends, identify hotspots, and allocate resources effectively.

Commissioner Sajjannar emphasized that law enforcement would continue to evolve its strategies to maintain public safety. “While we are encouraged by the decline in overall crime, we cannot ignore the increase in crimes against women and children. Our focus will remain on both preventive measures and effective enforcement to create a safer Hyderabad for all,” he said.

Conclusion

Hyderabad’s annual crime data for 2025 presents a complex picture. The city has made measurable progress in reducing overall crime by 15%, particularly in property offences and non-grave bodily crimes. However, the rise in crimes against women and children, alongside ongoing challenges in cybercrime, highlights areas requiring targeted intervention.

As the city continues to grow and evolve, the Hyderabad Police’s strategy combines traditional law enforcement with technology, community engagement, and preventive education. While overall trends suggest that visible policing and proactive measures are working, the report underscores the importance of remaining vigilant, especially in addressing domestic violence, child safety, and digital security.

Through continued focus on these areas, Hyderabad aims not only to reduce crime figures but also to create an environment where citizens feel safe, supported, and empowered to report offences, thereby strengthening both law enforcement and community trust in the city.

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