Night crime squad formed to curb rising offences in city

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

With rising cases of knife attacks, robberies and chain snatching at night, the police have formed a special “night squad” under the crime branch to intensify night patrolling.

The squad will operate from 9 pm to 2 am and include two assistant police inspectors, one sub-inspector and 20 personnel, including five women constables. They have been directed to focus on crime-prone areas and regularly check bus stands, railway stations and other hotspots. In the past month, incidents of chain snatching, robbery and gang violence have increased, including firing in Pundliknagar and multiple chain-snatching cases involving women, raising concerns over law and order. The squad will patrol key areas such as Mukundwadi, Pundliknagar, Cidco bus stand, Shivajinagar, Central bus stand, railway station, TV Centre grounds and Deolai Chowk, along with monitoring open grounds and late-night activity spots

They will also track record-holding offenders and those out on bail, including home visits for verification. Checks on loiterers, triple-seat riders and suspicious rickshaw drivers will also be carried out. Police commissioner Pravin Pawar said strict action will be taken against those found roaming unnecessarily at night or involved in suspicious activities.