``I would like to convey on behalf of the Government that we all share this anxiety and concern (voiced by several Rajya Sabha MPs) and are fully seized of the matter. There has undoubtedly been a sudden spurt in the incidence in robberies since May this year,'' said Advani. The current crime situation in the Capital also sparked off a flurry of questions in the Lok Sabha during question hour today.

Replying to a question raised by Congress MP Mukul Wasnik, Advani said that steps have already been taken to improve surveillance on known criminals, ensure more visibility of policemen in vulnerable areas and constitution of a regional coordination group comprising police officers of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to exchange information on criminals.

He also said that the police machinery is being revamped by equipping them with ultra high frequency wireless sets that will link the police headquarters with mobile vans.

Because of financial constraints, the police:population ratio in the Capital had come down from 452 per one lakh of the population in 1990 to 391 in 1998. The police have cited the absence of a rapid transport system and traffic congestions as the main reasons for its inability to prevent crime in the capital.

The Home Minister turned down a suggestion to reduce the number of security personnel on VIP duty on the ground that if a terrorist gets a shot at a VIP, he will get such more publicity than if he hits a soft target. The suggestion was made following claims made by the Delhi Police that of the 55,000 strong force in the Capital, only 20,000 were available at a given time for policing. The rest are deployed on VIP duty.