LAHORE: Lahore police have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-based crime prediction system to identify crime-prone areas and predict criminal activities before they occur.
The system has been developed by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and is seen as a major step toward modern, data-driven policing in Pakistan. It uses three years of FIR records, Safe City camera footage, and real-time field intelligence to help police plan operations and deploy resources more effectively.
Police officials said the AI system will act as a “strategic multiplier,” improving current policing methods that have already led to a significant drop in crime across the city.
During a recent high-level meeting to review the project, officials shared data showing a sharp fall in property crimes in Lahore over the past three years.
According to police records, property-related cases declined from 80,827 in 2023 to 45,865 in 2024, and further dropped to 18,558 by September 2025—a decrease of nearly 77 percent.
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The meeting also noted that overall crime in September 2025 had fallen by 82 percent compared to 2023. Reported cases dropped from 6,941 in 2023 to 3,146 in 2024, and further to 1,279 in 2025.
Breakdown of major crimes showed that robberies decreased by 91 percent, snatching by 89 percent, motorcycle thefts by 74 percent, and burglaries by 63 percent. Serious crimes such as dacoity and robbery-cum-murder fell by 50 and 67 percent, respectively.
Similarly, data from Police Emergency Helpline 15 revealed a clear decline in crime-related calls—from 76,710 in the first nine months of 2023 to 51,352 in 2024, and 34,360 in 2025, showing a 55 percent reduction in two years.
Robbery-related calls dropped by 66 percent, snatching by 61 percent, and motorcycle theft calls by 53 percent, reflecting both fewer crimes and greater public trust in police performance.
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the new AI system would help Lahore police move from reactive to preventive policing. “We are using artificial intelligence to forecast crime patterns and identify vulnerable areas before incidents occur,” he said.
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He added that the initiative, launched under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar, would strengthen existing efforts such as community policing, intelligence-based operations, and patrol systems.
The DIG credited the continuous decline in crime to data-driven policing, Safe City surveillance, strict divisional accountability, and field intelligence. He said consistent action against repeat offenders and better coordination with citizens had made the city safer.
Police officials clarified that the AI system would not replace human policing but would support better decision-making and timely deployment of officers. The model is currently being tested using past FIR data and will soon generate predictive maps to guide patrols and ensure quicker responses.
