New Delhi: Women in central and north Delhi will soon notice an increased presence of women police officers patrolling public spaces on scooters, particularly around colleges, bus stops and office areas.

On Tuesday, Delhi Police launched the Jhansi Patrolling Scooties—a women-led initiative aimed at enhancing street surveillance and making public spaces feel safer and more reassuring for women.

The move is part of a broader policing strategy, which also includes Jaguar Patrolling Motorcycles, ridden by male officers, to increase visibility and deter street crimes along busy routes.

The new patrol units were flagged off from the iconic Red Fort by Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order, Zone-I), Ravindra Singh Yadav. The current fleet includes 71 Jaguars and 15 Jhansis, all fitted with GPS trackers and staffed by specially trained personnel.

The Jhansi teams will focus on areas where women are more vulnerable to harassment, such as near school gates, university campuses, crowded bus stands, hospital entrances, and other public hotspots where stalking and chain-snatching often go unchecked.

Officials explained that the aim is to offer women a visible and familiar face in uniform—someone who reflects their concerns and makes the streets feel more secure.

“This initiative is aimed at not just improving policing on the ground but also making people feel safer. With increased presence in hotspots and quicker response time, Delhi Police is committed to strengthening law and order,” said Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central).

Meanwhile, the Jaguar patrols will focus on high-traffic junctions and crime-prone areas, responding swiftly in emergencies and discouraging pickpocketing, theft and burglary.

Police have conducted crime-mapping exercises to determine the most effective patrol routes, ensuring that both squads maintain round-the-clock coverage in designated hotspots.

“We have launched the Jaguar and Jhansi patrols in the Central Range. Today, 86 motorbikes and scooties have been deployed, and we will enhance the number to around 100. They will patrol crime-prone areas of the Central Range,” Verma told reporters.

He added that key locations — such as colleges, hospitals and bus stops — would be routinely checked, particularly in areas where crimes against women have been reported.

Speaking to the press, Special Commissioner Yadav said, “The main routes of both districts will be patrolled round the clock in two shifts during both day and night. Suspicious persons will be interrogated, and checks will be carried out to deter thieves, burglars and chain snatchers.”

He also noted that police visibility would remain high even during night hours, with teams on continuous duty to maintain a robust presence.

“Other districts are also considering adopting this model. Our district force, which is already operational, will be part of the scheme, and officers have taken up extra hours and will work tirelessly,” Yadav added.

PTI