Zero tolerance brings 20% drop in crime against women

Lucknow: Nearly 20% decline in crimes against women has been reported in the past one year due to strict enforcement, faster investigations, and enhanced surveillance mechanisms implemented by the Lucknow police commissionerate.Following the UP govt's zero-tolerance policy and Mission Shakti 5.0, the commissionerate, under police commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar, strengthened policing systems to ensure swift justice and stricter punishment for offenders.Lucknow police set new benchmarks in fast-track investigations in 2025. Investigators prioritised forensic and medical evidence, enabling quick completion of investigations and submission of reports in court.Over the past year, police filed charge sheets in more than 1,425 cases within 60 days, ensuring that offenders did not exploit procedural delays to evade justice.Through Operation Conviction, police pursued cases with scientific evidence and strong prosecution, leading to the conviction of 284 accused in crimes against women during 2025-26.Mission Shakti centres and pink booths were set up in all 53 police stations of the commissionerate.Lucknow became the first district in Uttar Pradesh where dedicated CUG mobile numbers were issued for each Mission Shakti centre, enabling women to contact police directly without intermediaries.Pink patrolling units, including women personnel on pink scooters and patrol vehicles, conduct regular patrols near colleges, markets, and public places.Under the Safe City project, a large network of smart CCTV cameras installed across the city is linked with the police control room, enabling 24×7 monitoring of sensitive areas and crime hotspots.