The Chandigarh Police have announced encouraging figures for the year 2025, reporting a marginal decrease in serious criminal offences alongside a substantial drop in street snatching incidents. The data, released on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, points towards the effectiveness of targeted law enforcement strategies in the Union Territory.
Overall Decline in Serious Offences
According to the official statement, the city witnessed 412 cases of heinous crimes in 2025, compared to 418 in the previous year. This represents a reduction of six cases, translating to a 1.4 per cent decline. The category of heinous crimes encompasses grave offences such as murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, abduction, rape, dacoity, robbery, and extortion.
More significantly, the police force has achieved a high case disposal rate of 88.6 per cent for these serious crimes. Authorities attribute this success to robust preventive measures, timely investigative follow-ups, and decisive action against repeat offenders. The police statement emphasised that this combination of reduced incidence and high resolution underscores their commitment to public safety and maintaining order in Chandigarh.
Sharp Reduction in Snatching Incidents
A standout achievement highlighted in the report is the dramatic fall in snatching cases. Through proactive and focused policing, incidents of snatching plummeted from 131 in 2024 to 100 in 2025. This marks a significant decrease of 31 cases, or approximately 24 per cent.
The police detailed a multi-pronged strategy that led to this improvement. Key measures included:
- Enhanced surveillance of individuals with a history of such crimes.
- Regular conduct of cordon and search operations (CASO).
- Strategic deployment of nakas (checkpoints).
- Strengthened area patrolling and increased visibility at identified vulnerable spots.
This focused approach on preventive policing and continuous field monitoring is credited for making public spaces safer and deterring potential offenders.
Strengthened Enforcement and Civic Discipline
Beyond tackling violent and property crimes, the Chandigarh Police also intensified action under various Special Local Laws. The enforcement drive focused on acts like the Arms Act, Excise Act, NDPS Act, and Gambling Act to fortify overall crime prevention frameworks.
A notable shift was observed in actions against public nuisance, particularly public drinking. Cases registered for public drinking and creating nuisance saw a sharp rise from 102 in 2024 to 200 in 2025, an increase of 98 cases or about 96.1 per cent. Additionally, nearly 220 individuals were booked under Section 68(1)(B) of the Punjab Police Act for consuming alcohol in public areas. This surge reflects a deliberate crackdown aimed at improving civic discipline and curbing disorderly conduct in the city.
The annual crime data for 2025 presents a picture of a police force leveraging data-driven, targeted strategies. While the decline in heinous crimes is modest, the substantial drop in snatching and the aggressive push on public order violations indicate a focused effort to address both major crimes and quality-of-life offences, aiming to enhance the overall security environment for Chandigarh's residents.
