The lockdown imposed across the country on March 24 to curb the spread of Covid-19 has led to a reduction in the number of crimes in Kathmandu Valley. Incidents including rape, human trafficking and accidents have come down compared to the three months preceding the lockdown.

Data provided by Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari shows there has been a decline in crime rates by over 66 percent in the Valley compared to the period prior to the lockdown.

A total of 2,930 cases were recorded in the Valley in the three months prior to the lockdown while during the last three months, the Valley recorded only 978 cases, according to the police report.

“The drop in crime rate is majorly due to the lockdown. Also, since the police are more vigilant and alert during this lockdown with increased ground deployment, the total number of crimes has come down,” said Sushil Kumar Yadav, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari.

A comparison of data from December 17, 2019 to March 13, 2020 and from March 14 to June 14 showed that the number of crimes against women and children, including rape, declined to 41 from 130 before the lockdown, social crimes to 79 from 945, organised and financial crimes to 69 from 284, thefts to 64 from 205, and accidents to 25 from 56.

Although the instances of many crimes saw a fall, there was a surge in others. Police records show that during the three months of the lockdown, 135 persons committed suicide while 97 had taken their own lives in the three months of normal period.

According to Yadav, the lockdown aggravated the situation of mental illnesses. “Many have lost their jobs. Businesses are making losses, and the financial crisis has pushed many people into depression. Since many people are not much conscious about mental health, they take wrong decisions and commit suicide,” said Yadav.

Cases of murder and attempted murder were also on the rise in the period of restrictions. The Valley recorded 243 such cases, up from 225 in the first three-month period.

“Murder, attempted murder, fraud, human trafficking, rape, attempted rape, kidnapping, drug smuggling, robbery, dealing in small arms, theft, cybercrime and social crimes used to be the biggest challenge for law and order. There has been a decline in such incidents during the lockdown,” Yadav told the post.