UP’s crime rate lower than national average in heinous crime categories: NCRB 2024

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh recorded heinous crime rates lower than the national average in several major crime categories in 2024, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau, or NCRB.

The state ranked relatively lower in offences such as murder, robbery, dacoity, rape, crimes against women and cybercrime despite being India’s most populous state. However, in cases of atrocities against SC/ST, UP was higher than the national average.

In the category of murder, Uttar Pradesh reported 3,218 cases in 2024 with a crime rate of 1.3, lower than the national average of 1.9. The state ranked 29th nationally, indicating that 28 states and Union Territories recorded higher murder rates. States such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Haryana reported substantially higher murder crime rates.

Similarly, in attempt to murder cases, Uttar Pradesh registered a crime rate of 1.6 against the national average of 4.2.

The NCRB data also showed comparatively lower crime rates in serious violent property offences.

In robbery cases, Uttar Pradesh recorded a crime rate of 0.5 against the national average of 1.6 and ranked 28th nationally. Delhi recorded the highest robbery rate at 6.9.

In dacoity cases, Uttar Pradesh’s crime rate was recorded at nearly zero.

Kidnapping for ransom cases were also among the lowest in the country. Uttar Pradesh registered only 26 such cases with a crime rate of almost zero.

The NCRB report indicated a decline in several crimes against women categories in Uttar Pradesh compared with 2023.

The rape crime rate in the state fell from 3.1 in 2023 to 2.8 in 2024, lower than the national average of 4.3.

In molestation-related offences under Section 354 IPC/BNS provisions, the state’s crime rate dropped sharply from 8.3 in 2023 to 3.9 in 2024, placing it 20th nationally against the national average of 7.1.

Cases of women kidnapping also witnessed a reduction. The state recorded a women kidnapping crime rate of 8.4 compared with the national average of 9.9. The overall crime rate against women in UP stood at 58.0 against the national average of 64.6.

However, the NCRB data showed that Uttar Pradesh continued to record a high dowry death crime rate of 1.8, placing it at the top position nationally in this category.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, or POCSO Act, Uttar Pradesh registered a crime rate of 9.5, substantially lower than the national average of 15.6. The overall crime rate against children in Uttar Pradesh stood at 26.0 compared with the national average of 42.3.

Cybercrime cases in Uttar Pradesh also remained below the national average. The state recorded a cybercrime rate of 4.6 against the national average of 7.3. Smaller states such as Telangana and Karnataka reported significantly higher cybercrime rates.

Theft cases in Uttar Pradesh recorded a crime rate of 18.3 against the national average of 44.3. Rioting cases stood at 1.1 against the national average of 2.2, while kidnapping cases recorded a crime rate of 4.9 compared with the national average of 5.8.

However, in the category of SC/ST atrocities, concerns continued to remain. While most major crime categories showed lower rates than national averages, NCRB data indicated that crimes and atrocities against Scheduled Castes remained a concern area.

Uttar Pradesh recorded a crime rate of 35.6 in crimes against Scheduled Castes, higher than the national average of 27.7, placing the state sixth nationally.

Similarly, cases registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act recorded a crime rate of 28.8 in the state against the national average of 24.2.

‘Zero tolerance towards crime has moved from a policy to ground reality’

DGP Rajeev Krishna said that the NCRB Crime in India 2024 report establishes unequivocally that crime rate is the only scientifically valid and statistically fair basis for comparing crime across states. Against a national crime rate of 252.3, UP stands at 180.2. This improvement reflects the results of sustained and deliberate effort.

Under CM Yogi Adityanath, zero tolerance towards crime has moved from a policy to ground reality. UP Police has constructed a law-and-order architecture that the NCRB data now reflects.

“Equally important is UP Police’s unwavering commitment to open and accessible reporting. We take cognisance of the smallest complaint on digital platforms and ensure conversion into FIRs wherever warranted. A higher registration count is the mark of a more responsive, accessible and transparent police force,” the DGP said.

NCRB data
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