In a significant development for law and order, West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a remarkable 19% reduction in its overall crime rate for the year 2025. District Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi announced the encouraging statistics during the annual crime review meeting held in Bhimavaram.
Sharp Decline Across Major Crime Categories
The data presented by the SP shows a clear downward trend. The total number of crime cases registered fell from 6,269 in the previous year to 5,076 in 2025. A detailed breakdown reveals impressive figures across various offence types. Property offences, a major concern for citizens, saw a substantial 26% decrease, dropping from 698 cases to 516.
Crimes against the person, categorized as body offences, also declined by a notable 14%. Perhaps most striking is the near-elimination of rioting cases, which plummeted from 13 to just 2. Furthermore, the district reported no murder-for-gain cases throughout the entire year, marking a major achievement.
In a positive sign for social harmony, cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were more than halved, recording a 54% reduction from 72 to 33. The police also demonstrated strong action in cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, securing convictions for 25 individuals. Among these, six perpetrators received life imprisonment and one was sentenced to 20 years in prison. As a preventive measure, rowdy sheets were officially opened against 68 identified sexual offenders.
Technology and Proactive Policing Yield Results
SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi attributed the success to a multi-pronged strategy heavily reliant on technology and proactive measures. A major focus on cybercrime led to the freezing of Rs 96.92 lakh in bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities, with Rs 42 lakh successfully returned to the victims.
The police's tech-enabled approach also facilitated the recovery of 515 stolen mobile phones, valued at approximately Rs 77.25 lakh. The extensive network of 3,732 CCTV cameras installed across the district proved instrumental in solving 32 major cases. On the narcotics front, authorities made a significant dent by seizing a massive 1,236 kg of ganja and arresting 60 smugglers. Traffic enforcement remained rigorous, with police issuing 31,208 challans, collecting fines totalling Rs 1.57 crore.
Landmark Cases Cracked with Innovation
The annual review highlighted several critical cases where innovative policing methods led to breakthroughs. The Bhimavaram Two Town police successfully busted an inter-state cyber fraud gang that had duped a retired professor of Rs 78.60 lakh. This operation resulted in the arrest of 13 culprits, the recovery of Rs 42.10 lakh, and the freezing of an additional Rs 19.90 lakh.
In another complex investigation, the Narsapuram rural police unit solved a murder case where the victim's body was found in a completely decomposed state. By employing advanced DNA profiling technology, investigators were able to establish the identity and secure evidence, leading to a resolution that would have been impossible with conventional methods.
The comprehensive data from West Godavari district presents a model of effective policing, combining stringent enforcement, community-focused initiatives, and the strategic adoption of modern technology to create a safer environment for its residents.
