The annual crime data released by Pune City Police for 2025 presents a mixed picture, highlighting a worrying spike in street crimes like chain snatching alongside a notable decline in severe violent offences such as murder. The statistics, shared by Commissioner Amitesh Kumar during a press conference on Monday, December 29, underscore shifting crime patterns in the metropolis.
Alarming Surge in Street Crime and Illegal Arms
A significant area of concern is the dramatic increase in chain snatching incidents. From January 1 to December 25, 2025, Pune recorded 127 cases of chain snatching. This marks a sharp 23% rise from the 103 cases registered in 2024 and is more than double the 54 cases reported in 2023. The data indicates a continuous upward trend over the past two years, reversing the lower numbers seen in 2021 (93) and 2022 (81).
Parallel to this rise in street crime is a record haul of illegal weapons. In 2025, the police seized 133 illegal firearms, a massive jump from 70 in 2024, 65 in 2023, 52 in 2022, and just 30 in 2021. To combat this menace, police conducted a major raid on illegal firearms manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh, a known hub for country-made pistols. The force also reviewed gun licences, cancelling 150 in 2025 while issuing 23 new ones.
Decline in Violent Crimes Against Persons
In contrast to the trend in chain snatchings, the city witnessed a substantial reduction in murders. Only 79 murders were reported in 2025, a 15% decrease from the 93 recorded in 2024. The murder rate has improved from an average of 8.3 per month till 2024 to 6.5 per month in 2025. The yearly figures show a steady decline from 100 in 2021, 104 in 2022, and 101 in 2023.
Attempt to murder cases also followed a downward trajectory, with 153 cases in 2025 compared to 179 in 2024. Crimes specifically targeting women showed a slight improvement. Rape cases registered stood at 472 in 2025, lower than the 499 in 2024, though higher than 2023's 407. Police noted that except for the Swargate bus depot incident, the accused in all other 2025 rape cases were known to the victims. Molestation cases saw a marginal dip to 836 from 844 in the previous year.
Police Action and Future Focus
Commissioner Amitesh Kumar assured a stringent crackdown on chain snatchers in the coming year, 2026. The police also intensified action against illegal immigrants, deporting 104 foreigners in 2025, a significant increase from 57 in 2024 and just 18 in 2023. Of those deported this year, 81 were Bangladeshi nationals.
The annual report paints a complex crime landscape for Pune. While focused policing appears to have curbed grave crimes like murder, the surge in opportunistic street crimes and the proliferation of illegal firearms present new challenges for the city's law enforcement in 2026.
