Ghaziabad: A study conducted by Ghaziabad police has found a significant decline in street crime during the winter season of 2025–26, with overall incidents dropping by about 43% compared to the previous year.According to the data, 2,070 street crime cases were registered between Nov 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. This number fell sharply to 1,185 cases during the corresponding period from Nov 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.Among specific categories, snatching incidents recorded the steepest fall, declining by nearly 97%—from 198 cases in winter 2024–25 to just 6 cases in 2025–26. Looting cases also dropped by 71%, from 21 to six cases over the same period.Theft cases were reduced by 53%, falling from 105 to 49, while vehicle thefts declined by about 30%, from 1,018 cases to 709 cases.Media Cell and Wave City ACP Priyashri Pal said that winter months typically see a spike in crime due to favourable conditions for offenders. “Dense fog, low visibility, fewer people outdoors, and reduced night-time movement often create opportunities for theft, robbery, and snatching,” she said.“However, this year, we intensified patrolling and significantly expanded CCTV surveillance across key roads, neighbourhoods, and public spaces, which contributed to the decline,” Pal added.Separate annual data also reflects a broader downward trend. House burglaries fell by about 27%, from 227 cases in 2024 to 166 in 2025. Vehicle thefts decreased by around 14% (from 2,289 to 1,961 cases), while other thefts, including wire and transformer theft, dropped by roughly 18%, from 3,831 to 3,124 cases.Snatching cases on an annual basis also declined by about 32%, from 443 in 2024 to 300 in 2025, indicating sustained improvements in policing and surveillance.
