Former Telangana DGP Anjani Kumar Addresses Evolving Crime Trends in Hyderabad

Former Telangana DGP and former Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar addressed the changing patterns of crime, technology-driven policing, and civic responsibility during a panel discussion held in Hyderabad.

The event was organised by The Lit People, a book club founded by Kalpana Sinha and Unnati Ved, centered around Patrick Radden Keefe’s book London Falling. The conversation explored how the book's depiction of London’s criminal underworld mirrors the evolving crime landscape in major urban centres like Hyderabad.

Drawing on his policing career, Kumar noted that while the scale and methods may vary, the fundamental nature of crime remains broadly consistent across major global cities, including Hyderabad, New York, and Paris. He pointed out that Hyderabad's crime profile has shifted noticeably from conventional offences such as petty theft to increasingly sophisticated forms of cybercrime, accelerated by rapid technological advancements.

Kumar highlighted various technological initiatives implemented by the Hyderabad Police to counter these challenges, such as digitised traffic management and automated fine systems created to reduce human intervention and enhance operational efficiency.

Emphasising the limits of law enforcement alone, Kumar stated that crime prevention requires active civic participation. He remarked that society holds a collective responsibility to oppose and report criminal activities, including digital fraud, harassment, molestation, and physical assault. He added that sustained public vigilance and pressure are essential to ensure institutions and governments respond effectively.