Hyderabad: In a landmark initiative to strengthen the city’s response to cybercrime, the Hyderabad police on Thursday launched Zonal Cyber Cells (ZCCs) across all seven zones of the city.
The initiative aims to provide swift, localized, and effective solutions to the escalating threat of cybercrime. The launch of the ZCCs comes at a time when cybercrime is at an all-time high. Over the years, there has been a sharp increase in reported cases, demonstrating both the growing prevalence of cyber offenses and increased public awareness.
Speaking on the occasion, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand said the cybercrimes registered a sharp rise from 2019 to 2020. More than doubled cases were registered from 1,393 in 2019 to 2,550 in 2020, likely due to increased online activity during pandemic.
The cybercrime cases have surged by 786 per cent in the last nine years from 2015 to 2024 and cases continue to increase year-on-year, showing an urgent need for robust cybercrime prevention measures. The increase also indicates that more victims were coming forward to report incidents, helping law enforcement take action, he said.
Anand further stated that establishment of ZCCs marks a crucial step in enhancing Hyderabad’s cybercrime response mechanism. With dedicated units in each zone, the police were now better equipped to handle the cybercrime complaints efficiently, improve detection rates, and facilitate the refund process for victims.
The establishment of ZCCs was aimed at providing a swift, localized, and effective response to cybercrime complaints such as financial and social media frauds. Explaining the key objectives of ZCCs are enhancing the investigation and resolution of cybercrime cases with greater efficiency apart from providing localized, rapid response to cybercrime complaints within each zone.
Another key aspect is raising public awareness about cyber safety and preventive measures. The ZCCs will operate under the direct supervision of the Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) concerned, ensuring seamless coordination and accountability.
Each ZCC will serve as a dedicated hub for registering, refunding, investigating, and detecting cybercrime cases within its jurisdiction. The cells will also work closely with the Cyber Crimes Police Station (CCPS) for technical support and expertise.
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