Lucknow's Anti-Romeo Squads rebranded as Mahila Suraksha Teams with expanded mandate

Lucknow Police Commissionerate has restructured its Anti-Romeo Squads into Mahila Suraksha Teams (Women Security Teams), deploying one at every police station in the district. Unlike their predecessors, these rebranded teams have a wider operational scope.

In addition to tackling harassment, their responsibilities include curbing substance abuse near educational institutions and monitoring suspicious activities. The officers have been instructed to act with sensitivity to build public trust.

Each team, led by a sub-inspector and comprising two male and two female constables, will operate from 8 am to 8 pm daily. They will patrol schools, colleges, markets, coaching centres, and public transport hubs, particularly focusing on high-risk areas. The initiative also includes collaboration with schools and colleges, with complaint boxes and regular safety meetings to encourage community-level vigilance. 

As per reports, the Mahila Suraksha Teams will be armed with CUG phones, body-worn cameras, e-challan devices, riot control gear, and four-wheelers.

First-time offenders will be counselled in the presence of family, while officers can file FIRs and recommend jail for repeat offenders. Teams will maintain detailed logs of hotspots and individuals under surveillance. Plainclothes personnel will patrol city outskirts and coaching centres to maintain a discreet presence.

Teams will report to their station in-charge, with daily reviews by senior police officials including DCPs and ACPs.