Hazaribagh SP Bhimsen Tuti will soon launch beat policing in the town, aiming to reduce crime rates and make cops responsible for the community's policing needs.

Tuti said all the 32 wards of the town have been divided into 14 beats, each of which will be manned by a team of eight policemen who will identify local problem areas and then develop strategies.

"Each beat will have two or three wards with a team comprising policemen equipped with GPS-enabled bikes to patrol their respective beats. The team will have sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and constables to look after their assigned areas," said Tuti, who took charge earlier this month.

A kiosk for each team would be set up in their beats and one PCR van had been assigned for two beats, the SP said at the district collectorate on Tuesday morning.

"This apart, residents will be given mobile numbers of the police officers manning their respective areas so that they can call for any kind of help. Policemen will be on duty round-the-clock at each beat working in shifts. The system will be introduced in the town from July 1," said the SP, who had introduced beat policing when he was posted in Gumla district in 2014.

Explaining the advantages of this kind of patrolling system, Tuti said such arrangement gave police officers the chance to get familiar with problems of local areas and establish a convenient and relaxed environment where people can talk to police. "For example, say a college or an institute in a particular ward starts from 4pm. The policemen of that beat will be alert to check any incidents of eve-teasing or theft. The police team will also be able to take necessary measures as per the situation," he added.

Beat policing, Tuti said, would also ease the burden of local thanas. "Beat police officers will also do passport verification work," he added.

The SP also stated that by July end CCTV cameras would be installed at sensitive locations across the town.

"This kind of policing will increase accountability among policemen," he said.