The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2024, released in May, highlights a concerning rise in crime in Mumbai. While 19 metropolitan cities across India recorded an overall reduction in registered offences, Mumbai witnessed a 7.1% increase compared to 2023. The city also ranked second after Delhi in several crime categories.
Cybercrimes see a significant surge in Mumbai
The city registered 5,087 cybercrime cases in 2024 compared to 4,169 in 2023, reflecting a 22 per cent increase. Mumbai ranked second after Bengaluru in cybercrime registrations.
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cognizable Offences Registered (Spiralling crime) | 65,441 | 70,054 | ▲ 7.1% |
| Crimes Against Women | 6025 | 6,358 | ▲ 5.5% |
| Crimes Against Children | 3,110 | 3,374 | ▲ 8.5% |
| Juveniles in Conflict with Law | - | - | ▲ 11% |
| Crimes Against Senior Citizens | 518 | 791 | ▲ 52.7% |
Mumbai reported 3,374 crimes against children in 2024, the second-highest among Indian cities.
| Year | Cases Reported |
| 2022 | 3,178 |
| 2023 | 3,110 |
| 2024 | 3,374 |
| Offence Type | No of Cases |
| Exposure and Abandonment of Children | 15 |
| Foeticide | 3 |
| Procuration of Children | 2 |
| Murder of Children | 8 |
| Murder with Rape | 1 |
| Abetment of Suicide of a Child | 1 |
Cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act remained a major concern.
| Offence | Cases |
| Total POCSO Cases | 1,416 |
| Rape Cases under POCSO | 660 |
| Category | Cases |
| Total Kidnapping and Abduction Cases | 1,831 |
| Missing Children Treated as Kidnapped | 1,587 |
Categories Showing an Increase
Categories Showing a Decline:
As per data revealed by the NCRB, Maharashtra reported the highest number of crimes against children in India in 2024, with 24,171 cases registered.
The state witnessed a steady rise in such crimes over the past three years, increasing from 20,762 cases in 2022 and 23,390 in 2023.
The state recorded 9,432 cases under the POCSO Act, including 4,829 rape cases. Cases registered under other categories included 35 incidents of assault on children with intent to outrage modesty, 27 cases of sexual harassment of girls, and 44 cases involving kidnapping or abduction of girls to compel marriage.
The NCRB data also revealed 19 cases of foeticide, 106 cases of exposure and abandonment, 24 cases of procuration of children, and 110 murder cases involving children, including 13 cases of murder with rape. Additionally, 43 cases of attempted murder, 86 cases of abetment of suicide of a child, and 119 cases of hurt or grievous hurt were reported.
Kidnapping and abduction emerged as one of the most significant categories of crime against children in the state, with 12,950 cases registered in 2024. These included 8,652 cases of missing children deemed kidnapped, six cases of kidnapping with intent to murder, and 18 cases of kidnapping for ransom.
Although Mumbai recorded a decline in several traditional violent and property-related crimes, the rise in offences involving women, children, and senior citizens remains a significant concern. The sharp increase in crimes against senior citizens and continued growth in sexual offences and child-related crimes underscore the need for stronger preventive measures and targeted law enforcement interventions. This uptick was mostly due to senior citizens being targeted by cyber frauds.
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