New Delhi:
Except for incidents of violence against women, the crime graph appeared to be on the rise in the national capital in 2009 which saw the city police unveiling a mega security plan ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Suspected LeT operative David Coleman Headley conducting recce in the capital apparently scurrying for targets also came to light prompting the force to conduct searches in hotels in central Delhi.
Police arrested top Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy and two suspected militants who were "sent" by Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin to the country. Meanwhile, 29 new police stations were added to the list raising the number to 155.
Though police claimed there was "no spurt" in crime, statistics showed that there was a slight increase. While 518 murders were reported in 2008, over 510 such incidents were reported till November last year, a senior police officer said. According to the figures available till November, over 45,000 criminal cases were registered.
Over 480 cases of robbery (496 last year), 350 attempt to murder cases (367), dacoity 21 (same), kidnapping for ransom 25 (21) and rape 430 (453) were reported till November.
Over 1,250 snatching cases (1,318 last year), 120 extortion (112), 1,500 burglary (1,818), 1,700 house theft (1,469) and 11,000 vehicle theft (9,895) were also reported.
"In most of the cases, the arrested were first timers," an official said.