KOCHI:
The ‘Har Ghar Surakshit Report 2020: Safety Insights from India’s Police Force’ by Godrej Locks, reveals that 61% cops expect home robberies and thefts to go up post complete lifting of lockdown in Tier-I & Tier-II cities like Kochi among others like Hyderabad, Lucknow, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and Patna. Unemployment triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic seen as one of the reasons behind this increase.
Cops are already witnessing a rise in petty thefts, vehicle thefts, and commercial break-ins. This research was conducted by InQognito Insights and released as part of Har Ghar Surakshit, a nationwide public awareness initiative by Godrej Locks to make citizens home safety conscious. The report shares a dichotomy between Tier-I & Tier-II cities and metros (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai). The number is slightly higher in metro cities as 71% cops expect an increase in home robberies post lockdown.
With the economy gradually opening up and people going back to work, homes will be more vulnerable for break-ins. 73% cops also agree that people in Tier-I & Tier-II cities like Kochi start taking home safety seriously only after they experience a break-in. Moreover, 63% cops stressed that people do not adopt home safety solutions on a regular basis, making them more prone to home break-ins. An alarming 63% cops have observed that people rely on neighbours / househelp /watchmen for their safety. This is testimony to the fact that citizens are dependent on others for their safety instead of taking proactive measures to take charge of their home safety.
There is definitely lack of awareness and action when it comes to home safety measures. While 61% cops think locks (branded mechanical/digital locks) are most critical for home safety, there is a paradox when it comes to adoption. Hence, 86% cops felt an urgent need to raise public awareness around home safety technology solutions.
Commenting on the research report, Shyam Motwani, Executive Vice-President and Business Head, Godrej Locks, said, “The Har Ghar Surakshit 2020 report has unveiled some intriguing facts about the home safety quotient of India’s Tier-I and Tier-II cities coming right from our trusted safety custodians – the police. This research was conducted to help citizens understand the vulnerability of their homes and urge them to take responsibility of their own safety. 61% cops anticipate that the number of home robberies in Tier-I and Tier-II will increase post lockdown and this is a call for citizens to take proactive measures before they start
venturing out of their home in the new normal. Along with 86% of the cops surveyed, we also firmly believe that there is a dire need to raise public vigilance around adoption of home safety technology solutions.”
As part of the Har Ghar Surakshit Report 2020, Godrej Locks surveyed police officers from across India. It captured their views around home safety observed by citizens and the COVID- 19 impact on crime levels. The report has further highlighted the vulnerability of Indian homes, showing that independent homes and private apartments are more prone to robberies. However, most people do not change or upgrade their locking systems of their homes.
