Bangladesh Police release crime data after almost six years

The Bangladesh Police today (5 December) published the monthly and yearly crime statistics for the first time in almost six years since 2018.

The newly appointed Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam in a maiden press briefing today was asked by The Business Standard why Bangladesh police don't disclose or upload monthly/yearly crime data when even neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan counterparts do so?

Other journalists also raised the issue and sought the police chief's attention on the matter.

Minutes later the IGP replied that he didn't see any problem in publishing monthly crime data on their website.

"I think crime statistics is public data, but the special branch's data is not. So, I don't see any problem in publishing crime data. I think it will be released soon," he said at the time.

Hours after the press briefing, the Police Headquarters, in a text message to journalists, informed that the monthly and yearly crime data - since January 2019 and August 2024 - has been published on the website https://www.police.gov.bd/en/january_2020.

Sources said during former police chief Javed Patwary's tenure, the police headquarters, following the recommendation of some high and mid-ranked police officials, stopped uploading and publishing crime data on their website.

Former IGP Javed Patwary was called over the issue for comment but he couldn't be reached immediately.