With a surge in burglaries, the Bengaluru South Division Police have rolled out a home protection initiative aimed at safeguarding locked residences.
Residents planning to be away for more than a day can now notify the police, who will prioritize surveillance of their homes during night patrols. This pilot project, focused on South Bengaluru, will be assessed for efficiency before potential citywide implementation.
Rising House Break-ins a Major Concern
Since 2021, burglary cases in the city have steadily climbed. Official records indicate that 879 night-time break-ins were reported in 2023, a sharp increase from 702 cases in 2022 and 654 in 2021. However, only 264 cases were successfully solved last year.
How Residents Can Seek Assistance
Homeowners must share a photo of their locked house with the police via the Bengaluru South Control Room at 080-22943111 or 9480801500. This information will be compiled daily and distributed to all 18 police stations in South Bengaluru. Hoysala patrol vehicles will then monitor these residences as part of their routine rounds.
A More Efficient Approach to Patrolling
Previously, police teams manually identified vacant homes during morning patrols, leading to inefficiencies. This resident-led system improves coordination, allowing for better crime prevention.
“Prevention is always better than detection,” said DCP (South) Lokesh B Jagalasar, emphasizing the initiative’s goal of ensuring no home is left unguarded.