Crime rate on the rise in Kerala

Kerala has witnessed an increase in the crime rate and for the first time in history, the crime graph has crossed the seven lakh benchmark as 7, 7, 541 cases were recorded in the state in 2016. Provisional crime statistics of state police has revealed that crime against women and children also maintaining an upward trend during the time. 
 

The statistics show that number of the offences recorded during 2016 was higher than in 2015 and 2014. As many as 6, 54, 008 cases were registered in 2015 while this reached 7, 07, 541 in 2016, marking an increase of 53, 533 cases. In 2014, a total of 6, 10, 365 cases were registered. 
 

Though crimes against women showed a decreasing trend in 2015, in comparison to 2014, it showed an upward trend in 2016, 14, 061 cases. The corresponding figures in 2015 and 2014 were 12, 383 and 13, 880 respectively. Cruelty by husband and relatives, molestation and rape, constitute major offences. The number of rape cases showed a steep rise during 2016 to reach 1, 644 in comparison to 1, 256 in 2015. 
 

As many as 2, 899 incidents of crimes against children were registered in 2016 while in 2015 it was 2, 384, an increase of 515 cases. Between 2014 and 2015 number of crimes against children increased by 98. As many as 929 rape cases were registered in 2016. 
 

However, number of murder cases were low in 2016 and state could heave a sigh of relief. In 2015 and 2014 there were 334 and 367 murders while it reduced to 299 in 2016. Incidents of theft, robbery, dacoity and burglary also showed a declining trend. 
 

Meanwhile, despite liquor ban, cases under Abkari Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, witnessed an increase. Abkari cases rose from 58, 197 in 2015 to 65, 069 in 2016 and NDPS cases reached 5, 920 from 4, 103. 
 

• crime rate
• murder
• Provisional crime statistics
• crime against women