According to police records, the rural areas average 3300 serious crimes every year. There are only about 1485 personnel to man the rural posts, overseeing a population of at least 11 lakhs. The most common crimes -- especially in the 10 police station areas of the Dabhoi sub-division -- are highway robberies, property-related disputes and economic offences.

To be christened Vadodara Rural, the new sub-division will be headquartered in the city. Its jurisdiction is likely to comprise Padra, Vadodara taluka, Bhadarva, Savli and Pandu.

Under the new alignment, the Dabhoi sub-division will cover Dabhoi, Karjan, Sinor, Sankheda and Waghodia, while Chhotaudepur will be in charge of the seven police station areas of Chhotaudepur, Kawant, Naswadi, Jetpur, Karali, Bodeli and Rangpur.

Director-General Chandrika Pratap Singh visited Dabhoi on Sunday to talk to locals before giving the final shape to the proposal for a new police sub-division. Accompanied by Special Inspector-General of Police D D Tuteja and District Superintendent (Vadodara rural) Shamsher Singh, Singh met the Dabhoi municipal committee chairman, among others.