Bengaluru Records 47 Percent Crime Surge Third Most Violent Metro
Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, has emerged as the third most violent metropolitan city in the country, trailing only Delhi and Mumbai, according to the latest Crime in India 2023 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Between 2021 and 2023, the city witnessed a 47% rise in violent crimes, marking the steepest increase among major metros.
The NCRB categorises offences such as murder, rape, kidnapping, abduction, robbery, dacoity, arson, and rioting as violent or “heinous” crimes, offering an important benchmark of urban safety. In 2023, Bengaluru recorded 3,528 violent crime cases, significantly higher than other southern metros such as Hyderabad (1,483), Chennai (973), and Kolkata (919), though still behind Delhi (11,014) and Mumbai (4,750).
Breaking down the figures, Bengaluru registered 219 murders, fewer than Delhi (500) and Mumbai (300), but notably higher than Chennai (132) and Hyderabad (148). Sexual violence remains a concern, with 277 reported rape cases, surpassing Chennai (98) and Hyderabad (164), though lower than Delhi (1,210). Kidnappings and abductions numbered 1,089, again outpacing southern counterparts but trailing Delhi (5,600). Robberies were similarly high, at 1,123 cases, second only to Delhi (2,917).
While national violent crime volumes remained relatively stable approximately 4.3 lakh cases in 2023, compared with 4.1 lakh in 2021 Bengaluru’s spike highlights a localized surge. Urban experts suggest that the rise reflects both increased reporting due to public trust in police and systemic gaps in urban safety infrastructure. Insufficient street lighting, limited CCTV coverage, sporadic patrolling, and underdeveloped community policing mechanisms are identified as major contributors to rising incidents.
Incidents of chain snatching, street robberies, and sexual assaults have become more commonplace in Bengaluru’s urban landscape. Officials emphasise that higher crime reporting should not be misconstrued as deteriorating law enforcement but rather as citizens’ growing confidence in the system. Urban planners are calling for strategic investment in surveillance infrastructure, safer public spaces, and community-led interventions to ensure equitable safety for all residents.
The NCRB report also reveals that southern metros such as Chennai have reduced violent crimes by one-third over the past three years, while Hyderabad saw a modest increase, and Kolkata remained one of the safest major cities with under 1,000 cases in 2023. For Bengaluru, the upward trend underscores the urgent need for integrated urban safety planning and crime prevention strategies.As the city continues its rapid economic growth and urbanisation, addressing rising violent crime is critical to ensuring public confidence, investor interest, and the overall well-being of residents.
