As the web spreads: Crime rises faster than population in Punjab

While population increased by 29 per cent, crime shot up by 95 per cent in Punjab in the past 14 years.

LAHORE: According to the crime and population comparison analysis report prepared by Punjab police, total reported crime shot up by about 95 per cent between 1996 and 2009 while the province’s population increased by 29 per cent during the same period.

During the period under study, the number of crimes compared to previous year reduced only twice, in 1999 and 2001 while for the rest of the years, it rose between one and 20 per cent compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, 247 instances of crime per 100,000 people were reported in 1996 while this figure shot up to 414 reported cases per 100,000 people in 2009.

Aggregate numbers for various categories of crimes for each year, from 1996 to 2009, are given in the accompanying graphic.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th,  2011.