The series of films, called Crime, You and Police

depicts various types of crimes and ways to tackle them. The films will be telecast on prime-time slots on cable network channels, Doordarshan, Star Plus, Sony, Zee TV, etc over a period of eight months.

The project is the brainchild of assistant commissioner of police (Kalbadevi division) N J Maneckshaw, and the films have been directed by Warsha Jhaveri. The films have been sponsored by the House of Tatas, Hindustan Lever, Pestonji Icecream and others.

After the inauguration function, Riberio called upon the police force to be selfless and help people in solving their grievances. He said no crime could be solved without people's support. He added Mumbai police are going through a bad phase, which can be overcome withpeople's co-operation.

Complimenting police for bringing out the films, he said importance should also be given in highlighting white-collar crimes and other such offences. He called upon the public to co-operate with police. About the recent rise in extortion, he said in nearly 70 per cent of the cases, threats are issued by small-timers and they should be ignored.

Police Commissioner R H Mendonca said the films are the third phase of Mumbai police's drive to seek people's participation in combating crime. The earlier two phases were establishment of Mohalla committees after the 1992-93 riots and issuing of greeting cards during festivals with messages on how crimes could be controlled. Mendonca said with the screening of such films, people will be aware of the do's and dont's in a given situation.

According to Maneckshaw, the films were conceptualised in 1996 but due to want of funds, the project got delayed. He said a lot of research to bring out these films. He said the main aim in showing the filmsis to educate people and make them aware of what should be done in an emergency situation. These films will help establish a relationship between people and the police, he added.