Keeping in view the alarming increase in crime against the feminine gender, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Monday pressed 370 new Police Control Room (PCR) vans into service to provide security to women in the national capital.
Speaking on the occasion, Shinde said the Delhi Police has enough personnel riding motorcycles to reach any spot of crime on time. However, he said that the shortage of PCR vans has led to an increase in the response time to any distress calls.
"PCR vans were very important and we had already sanctioned the introduction of 370 new PCR vans. Today, when I was coming I saw the vans lined up and it felt very nice. Now I hope, as Commissioner (Delhi Police) said that eight to ten minutes was the response time earlier, but now with the induction of 370 new police vans the reduced time would depend on your (Delhi Police personnel's) efficiency," he said.
Throwing light on the facilities provided in these police vans, Shinde said that they are well equipped to take complete control of any sudden situation.
"Every PCR car would have a mobile phone along with a GPS system so that there is an immediate call response," he said.
The brutal gang rape of a medical student in a moving bus in the national capital on December 16 last year had brought thousands on to the streets in protest and provoked national debate about the rising number of vicious attacks on women, putting the issue firmly on the national political agenda.
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New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures.
But mostly such crimes go unreported and justice is slow, according to social activists, who say successive governments have done little to ensure the safety of women and children.