LAHORE: For the first time, women cycle squads have been deployed in markets to prevent street crime as shopping picks up during the last 10 days of Ramazan. Police have marked 92 crime hotspots and fielded 1,000 male police personnel along with female staff.

The police high-ups came up with the security strategies following the rush of the families in the city’s markets and commercial hubs, including bazaars, for Eid shopping. There are reports that the criminals target the families and those visiting the banks to withdraw cash from ATMs.

According to an official, special measures have been taken to safeguard women shoppers. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, female officers and cycle squads, including both male and female personnel in plainclothes, have been stationed to tackle incidents of harassment in the crowded places of the city. Any individuals found involved in harassing or misbehaving with women would face strict legal action.

The official said that Lahore police had rolled out an integrated security plan to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens amid hustle and bustle. In a robust crackdown on criminal elements, he said, more than 4,000 police personnel had been deployed across the city in various squads. These include dedicated patrol teams, officers in civvies and specialised units to monitor suspicious activities.

In a first, female officers in cycle squads to tackle harassment in busy shopping areas

Law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance around known offenders, tightening the noose around record-holding criminals. A key part of the plan involves deployment at 65 high-traffic shopping centers and hotspot areas, which now have additional police presence.

The police official said the patrolling by police force in plainclothes had increased to maintain a covert check on criminal activity.

A total of 226 checkpoints have been established at sensitive locations to deter any untoward incident. Bank timings have also been synchronised with increased patrol to prevent robberies and snatching incidents. Mobile teams have been activated around banks, markets and bazaars, and night vision binoculars and drone cameras are being used to bolster monitoring, particularly during night hours.

Lahore Operations DIG Faisal Kamran said six SPs, 22 sub-divisional police officers, 83 SHOs, and 473 upper subordinates, 3,367 constables and 34 lady police officials were part of the security plan. He said Elite Force, Dolphin Squad, and police response units had ramped up patrolling on key routes and market areas.

“We have marked over 90 hotspots in all the six divisions of the city, where over 1,000 officers and constables have been stationed.”

He said 55 key areas had been earmarked for checkpoints and increased patrolling to clamp down on the dangerous activity of wheelie.

The security measures were initiated following the growing activities of the citizens ahead of Eidul Fitr, he said, adding the divisional SPs were directed to ensure a peaceful and secure environment, especially to the families. He said the integrated deployment and tech-enabled monitoring were part of the police strategy to ensure proactive policing.

“We urge the people to report any suspicious activity or criminal behaviour immediately on Police Helpline 15,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025