The national capital has witnessed an 11% reduction in crimes against women in 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by Delhi Police on Thursday. The decline is observed across various offences, including rape, molestation, eve teasing, and trafficking for prostitution, indicating a positive trend in women’s safety.
Police data shows a significant drop in rape cases, with 1,919 incidents reported up to December 1 this year, compared to 2,141 during the same period in 2023, marking a 10.3% decrease. Molestation cases also fell sharply by 19%, from 2,345 in 2023 to 1,897 this year. The number of eve teasing cases dropped by 9%, from 381 in 2023 to 343 in 2024. Trafficking for prostitution, a major concern under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, saw a notable reduction of 42%, with only 25 cases reported this year compared to 59 in 2023.
An analysis of rape cases revealed that in 2023, 99.58% of such crimes were committed by acquaintances or known individuals, while just 0.42% were perpetrated by strangers. In 2024, the percentage of rapes involving known individuals remained high at 99.20%, while the proportion of cases involving strangers rose slightly to 0.78%.
Senior police officials attributed the decline in crimes to improved police-public relations, higher conviction rates, and proactive initiatives aimed at preventing crimes against women. A police spokesperson stated, “A majority of heinous crimes have decreased in Delhi due to efficient police-public relations. We have launched multiple schemes—pink booths, women’s helplines, e-complaints, and others—to make it easier for women to lodge FIRs from any location. With a conviction rate of 70-80% in heinous cases, especially rapes, repeat offenders are deterred from committing further crimes.”
Additionally, the police highlighted their focus on high-footfall areas such as schools and colleges, with increased patrols by both male and female officers. A dedicated fleet of women personnel conducts daily foot and two-wheeler patrols to address crimes related to women. These efforts have contributed to the overall reduction in offences, reinforcing the city’s commitment to improving safety for women.