Andhra Pradesh Records 14.1% Drop in Crime as Technology Reshapes Policing
Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 14.1% decline in overall crime , according to Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita , who credited the improvement to the state's growing reliance on technology, preventive policing, and targeted action against organized crime.
Presenting a review of her department's performance at the State Secretariat on Tuesday, Anita said the government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has focused on strengthening public safety through a combination of digital surveillance, faster emergency response systems, women's protection initiatives, and anti-drug operations.
The minister said the administration's approach is centered on preventing crime before it occurs rather than merely responding after incidents are reported. To achieve this, law enforcement agencies have expanded the use of CCTV networks, drones, artificial intelligence-based analytics, and digital monitoring systems , enabling police to identify threats more quickly and improve field-level response.
Women's safety continues to be a major area of focus. According to the minister, the Shakti App has responded to more than 11 lakh SOS alerts , providing immediate assistance to women in distress. Dedicated units at the district level are also working to monitor and address crimes against women more effectively.
The state has also intensified efforts to locate missing persons through Operation Muskaan , which has helped trace and reunite 8,396 missing children, women, and elderly citizens with their families. Authorities are simultaneously providing counseling and rehabilitation support to child victims in cases registered under the POCSO Act.
On the anti-narcotics front, the government's special enforcement wing, EAGLE , has launched extensive operations against drug trafficking and illegal cannabis networks. The campaign has resulted in 56,674 cases being registered , while assets worth more than ₹4 crore linked to narcotics activities have been seized. Officials say the crackdown has also disrupted several interstate drug supply chains.
Cybercrime remains another key challenge, but the minister said the state has made significant progress in protecting citizens from financial fraud. Through the 1930 cybercrime helpline and dedicated cyber war rooms, authorities have prevented losses amounting to ₹247 crore . Emergency response times have also improved substantially, dropping from around 30 minutes to less than 10 minutes , with response efficiency reaching 97.47% .
The government has simultaneously invested in police modernization and welfare measures. Nearly 6,000 recruitments and promotions have been completed, while stipends and support systems for personnel have been enhanced. The forensic wing has completed examinations in 7,793 cases , strengthening investigative capabilities across the state.
Beyond policing, the government has expanded disaster preparedness efforts through the coordinated deployment of 26 NDRF teams and 22 SDRF teams . Officials are increasingly relying on drone surveillance and early warning systems to reduce risks during natural disasters and emergency situations.
Anita said the government's broader objective is to build a safer and more responsive administration by integrating technology into governance and public safety. The latest figures, she noted, reflect the state's efforts to create a modern law-enforcement framework capable of addressing both conventional crimes and emerging threats in the digital age.