The recent spate of crimes after sundown has prompted police to crack the whip on duty officers who prefer to take rest at night.

Deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) (central range) Shalin has directed all station house officers (SHOs) to remain on streets for at least two hours every night.

The officer said: "The number of daytime crimes has dipped, thanks to the vehicle-checking drive at 45 points across the city since over the past now. However, night crimes have become a cause of concern. In the evening and late evening hours, we expect field officers to exercise the same alertness as in the daytime. A review meeting has been called tomorrow (Saturday) in which deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) have been asked to bring reports to show the place and time of patrolling conducted by the SHOs. If it is found that they have taken the liberty to patrol only during the daytime, heads would roll."

The DIG's worry was triggered by the daring dacoity at the Shri Krishna Puri flat of a government official on Wednesday evening.

The police on Friday released sketches of the three suspects involved in the dacoity. No arrest has been made in the case so far.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj claimed that police would crack the case soon. "The police have pursuing some important leads in the case."

DIG Shalin said night patrolling needed improvement.

In December last year, police had said the traditional beat policing system would be revived to curb night crime. Sources said details of the system were being chalked out.

The DIG said: "Once the review of the DSPs is complete, I would review the performance of the SPs and the SSP next week. Just like the SHOs and DSPs, the SPs and the SSP should also concentrate getting out on the streets at night and show their presence to their juniors and the residents. All these reviews have been necessitated by the growing perception that daytime police visibility and proactive work is not being complemented at night. The police will like to clarify that the SHOs and DSPs are not physically bound to any of the daytime checking points. Also, the officers need to choose fresh and effective patrolling points and there cannot be any kind of duplication."