The new officiating DGP of UP, Prashant Kumar, announced on Thursday that the focus will be on people-centric and artificial intelligence-based policing. During his first interaction with the media after taking charge, Kumar expressed his gratitude to the state government for the appointment. He stated that UP was now drawing investors owing to better law and order and strong government policies.

“UP has moved up to second rank in ease of doing business category,” he added. Moreover, he said, AI-powered predictive policing will help cops to predict and prevent crimes by analysing data and spotting high-risk areas. “we have started to use AI to identify targets for police intervention to prevent crime, solving past crimes and identifying potential offenders and victims,” he said.

“Dealing with cybercrime is our priority, and now there is a cyber police station in every UP district,” said Kumar. DGP said police have been directed to respond to any complaint received on social media within 7-8 minutes.

“Police will also keep a watch on the pattern of accidents and depending upon that availability of an ambulance and a police vehicle for emergency would be deployed,” he said.

We have converged various databases including FIRs, crime road, social media and online-offline applications and CCTNSs,” said the state police chief.

The public grievance review portal has been digitised for faster redressal on CM’s directive, the DGP said. He added that almost 4 lakh spots in that state are now under the surveillance of 10 lakh CCTVs to ensure better security for women and children.