After rape of teen, Delhi top cop orders city-wide sweep of dark spots, CCTVs

The park in south Delhi where the teen was raped

In a meeting with Special Commissioners, Joint Commissioners and DCPs of all districts at the police headquarters, Kumar asked officials to maintain vigilance and continue patrolling parks and isolated stretches.

He said non-functional CCTV cameras and other safety gadgets installed for the protection of citizens should be checked regularly.

The police chief further said that whenever ground staff spot any deficiency, including in parks, bus stands, roads and isolated stretches, officers should prepare a list and write to the civic agency concerned.

He directed officers to ask ground and beat staff to be in contact with guards deployed at parks to prevent the entry of pickpockets and petty criminals.

Cycle patrol restarted

Several district DCPs have decided to restart bicycle patrols in parks following Monday’s incident.

A DCP told The Indian Express that he had instructed Station House Officers to deploy personnel on bicycles in parks, alongside foot patrols, during the morning and evening to increase police visibility and deter petty criminals.

“Bicycle patrolling is a more convenient method of conducting inspections in parks. Officers can also increase their visibility and are less likely to get tired compared to foot patrolling,” the officer said.

The Delhi Police had adopted the practice in October 2017 after five men robbed a couple at Buddha Jayanti Park in Chanakyapuri by posing as police officers.

The force purchased bicycles for patrolling staff. However, the practice was later discontinued, with patrolling in parks considered a low priority for the force, a source said.