Punjab Police has launched a new Women First Response Unit in Lahore to provide quick police assistance in cases involving women and children.
The initiative has been introduced as a pilot project after receiving approval from the Inspector General of Police Punjab. Female police officers will be among the first responders when certain crimes against women and children are reported in Lahore.
Emergency complaints received through Police Helpline 15 involving women or children will be directed to the specialised unit for immediate response.
The unit will deal with cases including sexual violence, crimes against women and children, and other emergency complaints. Female police officers and personnel will be assigned to the teams.
22 vehicles to support female police teams
Punjab Police will provide 22 mobile vehicles to Lahore Police for the new unit.
These vehicles will help specialised female teams quickly reach the location where an incident has been reported. Officers will assess the situation and provide the required police assistance to victims.
According to police officials, the main purpose of the project is to improve the response to complaints and ensure victims receive timely and sensitive support.
Punjab Police already operates Women Help Desks in districts across the province, including Lahore. The official Police Emergency helpline remains 15.
Punjab expands safety measures for women
The new unit comes as authorities introduce other safety measures for women in Lahore.
Recently, QR-based panic buttons were installed on around 80,000 vehicles, including rickshaws, cars and public transport vehicles.
The system allows women facing harassment or another emergency to use a panic code to contact authorities. Traffic teams have been installing the system at 45 locations across Lahore.
Panic buttons have also been installed at 39 women’s colleges and universities in Lahore. These buttons are connected to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s central control room and the Virtual Women Police Station.
An emergency alert is sent to the authorities so that police assistance can be provided, once a button is pressed. Authorities plan to expand the system to more than 450 women’s colleges across Punjab.
Punjab Police has also increased the number of women serving in the force in recent years. Previously, more than 1,600 women joined Punjab Police during a recruitment drive, including lady constables, driver constables and traffic assistants.