KOCHI: Criminals beware! Fleeing to the suburbs after committing crimes, mainly robbery, in the city will not be a safe option as the city police in coordination with the rural police have decided to tighten combing to flush out hiding criminals.
The development assumes significance in the wake of reports that many criminals are escaping to suburban areas after committing crimes in the city.
The police have decided to strengthen intelligence-sharing and list out the details of all the criminals frequently moving between the city and the suburbs.
“There is already an intelligence- sharing network between the city police and the rural division. We are planning to strengthen it in the coming days. Now, intelligence-sharing takes place between the higherups, but it should percolate down to ensure that the beat policemen are aware of developments,” said Rural SP P Vijayan. He said that the police had devised a scheme to track all criminals operating from the rural areas and bring them to book. “We will prepare a list of criminals and assign each policeman with the task of collecting the complete details of five criminals. After compiling all the information, the department will take appropriate measures to detain them. The scheme is in its formative stage and will produce the desired result within two to three months,” he said.
The police said that they had succeeded in detaining around 150 people belonging to Tamil Nadu who were camping in various parts of the district to carry out thefts.
kochi@epmltd.com