Police claim decline in crime rate in January.

LAHORE -- Punjab police claimed on Saturday to have arrested 61,218 suspects allegedly involved in various crimes in different search and combing operations carried out in the province, showing a considerable decline in the crime in the month of January.

According to police record, these suspects were involved in crimes including robbery, theft, dacoity and drug selling etc. As many as 9,768 proclaimed offenders were also arrested in the province, the police claimed.

During the period between 1st January and 20th, 720 accused belonging to 255 gangs were arrested, 3,177 cases were traced and stolen property worth Rs14293,881 was recovered, it claimed.

The record shows a 30 percent reduction in bike and vehicle theft calls and 19pc decline in theft calls.

The police also claimed a significant reduction in the incidents of aerial firing across the province, as 'indiscriminate operations are continuing under a zero-tolerance policy against such crimes'.

Pukaar 15 Safe City record reveals that during January, there has been a significant decrease in the calls made on the helpline to report serious crimes, including robbery, dacoity and murder, throughout the province.

It also shows a 23pc increase in the rate of submitting challans to the courts regarding...