Cases of murder and snatching have, however, increased in 2008, the police chief said.

According to the annual crime review of 2008, there has been a decline of around 12.82 percent in overall crimes under the Indian Penal Code, and rate of heinous crimes has also witnessed a decline of 12.13 percent.

Murders, on the other hand, have gone up to 518 this year, against 467 of last year.

The annual review says that criminals were involved in 10 percent of the murder cases, and 8 percent of the murder cases related to unidentified dead bodies.

According to Delhi Police, the Capital ranks 21 among the 35 ‘mega cities’ in rate of murder cases.

The police saw an increase of about four percent in the success rate of solving these murder cases. “We have solved 84 percent of the cases and 891 accused were arrested in 2008. Last year, 78 percent of the murder cases were solved,” Dadwal said.

As far as cases of attempt to murder is concerned, 367 cases were reported as against 499 last year - only five percent cases had a criminal motive behind it, while the rest were the result of sudden provocation. Last year has proved a menace as far as robberies is concerned. A spurt in bank robberies was witnessed in the last few months; however, going by police statistics, it has decreased, with 498 robbery incidents reported against last year’s 530.

Snatching is another crime that spiralled in 2008. “Trends of snatching saw a change this year. Now, snatchers are equipped with weapons,” a senior police officer said.

A massive 9,895 cases of motor vehicle thefts were reported this year, against last year’s 8039. Kidnapping cases have also gone down by 13 percent. Last year has seen a significant decline of 22.03 percent in rape cases (453 against 581 last year). Molestation has also gone down to 590 against last year’s 835.

As far as narcotics-related cases are concerned, the Delhi Police arrested 132 people for involvement in 118 registered cases this year. Cases of kidnapping for ransom also saw a marginal decline with 21 cases in 2008 against 24 in 2007.

Facing flak over a few cases that remained unsolved, among them, the delay in solving of the murder of television journalist Saumya Vishwanathan, the commissioner said, “We have developed various leads in the case and are hopeful of cracking it soon. No time-frame can be given though.”