Patna: State capital has witnessed a surge in criminal activities despite the deployment of a robust police force, over 3,000 CCTV cameras, and hundreds of Dial-112 teams. The rise in crime in the past five months has been significant, despite the fact that the city has a ratio of one senior police officer for every two police stations.According to figures shared by Patna Police, the city registered 116 murders, 48 robberies, 36 rape cases, 10 dacoities, and 33 snatching incidents, excluding cellphone thefts, from Jan to May. Additionally, 13 cases of extortion were reported, they added.However, Patna Police claims decline in crime incidents, adding that prompt action is being taken against the criminals. It said 14,962 arrests were made between Jan and May this year. According to the police, the crime rate also declined this year compared to 2024. The decline in crime is attributed to increased patrolling and stepped police vigilance across the city.Patna SSP, Avkash Kumar, said, “Compared to 2024, this year there has been a decrease of 18.31% in murders, 33.33% in robberies, 42.86% in loot, and 49.30% in rape cases. In comparison to 2024, there has also been a decrease of 21.43% in theft, 51.85% in robbery, and 18.23% in burglary incidents this year.”He said in most of the murder cases, the matter is either related to land disputes or illicit affairs. The SHOs have been directed to gather information about land disputes from the chowkidars deployed in their areas concerned. Then the SHOs are asked to hold meetings with the circle officers to resolve the disputes.“If any cognisable crime like murder, dacoity, or rape occurs, the police immediately seek court permissions for property attachments of the absconding accused. A total of 33 police stations, identified in the vulnerable areas of the district, have been provided bike-patrolling units to review the security arrangements in the banks, jewellery shops, customer service points and market areas. Equipped with GPS and wireless sets, four such bike patrolling units deployed in each station work round-the-clock,” the SSP added.According to the figures shared by Patna Police, East Patna witnessed the highest number of vehicle thefts with 681 cases, while West Patna reported 66 house break-ins from Jan to May. The crime statistics for East Patna also include 14 robberies, three dacoities, and 66 burglaries.Central Patna registered 396 vehicle theft cases, 29 burglaries, and three robberies.Western Patna reported 253 vehicle thefts, 78 burglaries, six robberies, and three dacoities. Rural Patna recorded comparatively lower numbers with 86 vehicle thefts, 47 burglaries, eight robberies, and one dacoity.Chain snatching has emerged as a concern, with criminals on motorcycles targeting pedestrians in various areas including Gandhi Maidan, Boring Road, Atal Path, Ganga Path, Kankarbagh, and Gola Road, said the figures. In April and May alone, motorcycle-borne criminals snatched gold chains from 12 women and two men. Feb and March witnessed six and 10 chain-snatching incidents respectively.