Cops start surveillance programme to keep tab on sexual offenders

HYDERABAD:  In a first in the state, the Cyberabad police started a patrol and surveillance programme for sexual offenders. The programme aims at keeping tabs on those involved in sexual offences and preventing them from repeating their crimes. Police said they had verified the status of 143 sexual offenders booked over the past five years.

These offenders include those involved in gang rapes, Pocso cases, rape, sexual abuse and sexual harassment cases. Offenders with cases under probe, charge-sheeted individuals and those under trial were verified.

“This operation does not involve minors involved in sexual offences. We will soon expand this surveillance to those convicted of murder, drug charges and other grave offences. It will continue at regular intervals,” said Cyberabad police Commissioner Stephen Raveendra.

Those convicted for crimes against women and children are also covered under this programme.

The exercise was carried out across all five zones- Madhapur, Rajendranagar, Balanagar, Medchal and Shamshabad. During this, details and the whereabouts of the offenders were recorded.

The surveillance of activities of offenders through an extensive network of ground intelligence and beat policing was undertaken for the prevention of crimes by habitual offenders, Raveendra said.

During the verification, some offenders were missing from the address given during their arrest. “They will be traced and their activities will be under watch,” police officials said.