According to the latest report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kolkata has maintained its status as the safest city in India for the third consecutive year. The report, which compares the number of cognisable offences registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special Local Laws (SLL) among 19 cities with more than 20 lakh population, shows that Kolkata recorded the least number of such crimes in 2023.

Cognisable offences are those crimes that are serious in nature and require immediate police action, such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, etc.
Special Local Laws are those laws that are enacted by the state governments to deal with specific issues, such as prohibition, gambling, cow slaughter, etc.

Kolkata’s crime rate is nearly seven times lower than the national average

The NCRB report reveals that Kolkata’s crime rate, which is the number of crimes per lakh population, was 107.6 in 2023, which is significantly lower than the national average of 729.6. The city also witnessed a decline in the total number of cognisable offences, from 18,233 in 2022 to 17,498 in 2023, a drop of 4%.

Crime rate is calculated by dividing the total number of crimes by the total population and multiplying by 100,000.
Total number of cognisable offences is the sum of IPC and SLL crimes registered by the police.

Pune and Hyderabad follow Kolkata as the second and third safest cities in India

The NCRB report also ranks the other 18 major cities in India based on their crime rates. Pune in Maharashtra and Hyderabad in Telangana occupy the second and third positions, with crime rates of 160.5 and 167.8 respectively. The cities that recorded the highest crime rates are Patna in Bihar (1,544.7), Kochi in Kerala (1,399.5), and Jaipur in Rajasthan (1,390.5).

Patna reported the highest number of IPC crimes (40,847), followed by Jaipur (31,550) and Delhi (29,628).
Kochi reported the highest number of SLL crimes (1,12,987), followed by Indore (77,131) and Bhopal (49,237).

Kolkata’s low crime rate does not imply zero crime rate

While Kolkata’s low crime rate is a matter of pride and relief for its residents and visitors, it does not imply that the city is free from crime. The NCRB report also indicates that the city recorded an increase in the number of crimes against women, from 1,556 in 2022 to 1,685 in 2023, an increase of 8.3%. The city also registered 55 cases of murder, 144 cases of rape, 1,202 cases of theft, and 2,150 cases of cheating in 2023.

Crimes against women include offences such as rape, kidnapping, dowry death, cruelty by husband, molestation, sexual harassment, etc.
Cheating is defined as deceiving someone by fraudulent means to obtain property or benefit.

Kolkata’s low crime rate reflects its law and order situation and cultural heritage

The NCRB report is a testimony to the law and order situation and the cultural heritage of Kolkata, which is known for its rich history, literature, art, and cuisine. The city’s iconic landmarks, such as Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and the Maidan, are not only symbols of the city’s glorious past but also safe and welcoming spaces for tourists and locals alike. The city’s law and order situation also makes it comfortable for people to gather at these public places without fear.

Victoria Memorial is a marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria, which houses a museum and a garden.
Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Hooghly river and connects Kolkata and Howrah.
The Maidan is a large open park that hosts various cultural and sporting events.