An SBI research study across 28 states highlights a correlation between increased security spending and reduced crime rates.
The study also notes the impact of crime reduction on GDP growth and the role of CCTV coverage in lowering crime rates.
SBI Study Links Increased Security Spending to Crime Reduction Across 28 States
An SBI research study across 28 states highlights a correlation between increased security spending and reduced crime rates. The study also notes the impact of crime reduction on GDP growth and the role of CCTV coverage in lowering crime rates.
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Illustration: SBI study links security spending to crime reduction across states · NewsDarpan (AI-generated, GPT-Image-2)
A study conducted by SBI Research across 28 states has revealed that increasing per capita security expenditure by 1% leads to a 0.36% reduction in crime rates. The study also found that a 1% decrease in crime can boost real GDP growth by 0.11% in the short term and 0.133% in the long term. Cities with extensive CCTV coverage tend to have lower crime rates, according to the findings.
In 2024, India recorded 58.86 lakh cognizable crimes, marking a 6.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The national crime rate per lakh population dropped from 448.3 in 2023 to 418.9 in 2024. Kerala reported the highest crime rate per lakh population at 1,389, while Nagaland had the lowest at 61.6. Crimes against women decreased by 1.5%, with cases dropping from 4.48 lakh in 2023 to 4.41 lakh in 2024.
The study also highlighted disparities in crime reporting. For instance, the National Family Health Survey estimated that 5.94 lakh domestic violence cases should have reached the police, but NCRB records show only 1.21 lakh cases were registered, indicating that 80% of cases went unreported. States like Haryana, Bihar, Punjab, and Bengal reported higher-than-average crimes against women, negatively impacting female workforce participation. Rajasthan was an exception, with high crime rates but over 50% female workforce participation.
West Bengal presented unique data, accounting for 16.11% of missing children and 14.45% of violent crimes nationally, while theft and burglary cases appeared underreported.