National Capital Delhi recorded the highest cases of crimes against women in 2016 among metropolitan cities, with a crime rate of 182.1 crimes per one lakh population, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau.

Crimes against women have only marginally decreased between 2014 and 2016, dropping by 0.14%. Lucknow, with 159.8 crimes, and Jaipur at 144.1 crimes against every one lakh people, came second and third on the list. The national average of crimes against women in cities was 77.2.

Among states, crimes against women was reported to be highest in Delhi (160.4 crimes against a population of one lakh), followed by Assam (131.3 crimes) and Odisha (84.5). Uttar Pradesh recorded 14.5% of the cases of crimes committed against women, followed by West Bengal at 9.6%.

The national average of crimes against women in states was 55.2.

Most such cases were reported under the category “Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives”, followed by “Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage Her Modesty” and “Kidnapping and Abduction of Women”.

Other crimes

Cases of crimes against children have hugely increased between 2014 and 2016, by 19.6%. Around 89,423 cases were reported in 2014 and 1,06,958 cases in 2016. Delhi recorded the highest cases of crimes against children, accounting for 7.6% of the total cases among all the states.

The national Capital, which also reported the highest crime rate in the country, accounted for 38.8% of all crimes under the Indian Penal Code reported in cities with population over 2 million. Bengaluru (10.4% or 229 cases) came second, followed by Patna (8.9% or 195 cases).

Between 2014 and 2016, the incidences of murder have decreased by 10.4%, from 33,981 crimes to 30,450. Incidents of kidnapping and abductions have increased by 13.9%, while incidents of overall violent crimes have decreased by 0.9%.