Chennai police make special security arrangements for Christmas celebrations

The Greater Chennai City Police have made special security arrangements with the deployment of 8,000 police officers and personnel to enable the public to celebrate the Christmas festival peacefully and safely.

On Thursday (December 25, 2025), as large numbers of people are expected to visit churches, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of women, children, and the general public, and to prevent overcrowding. From Wednesday (December 24) night till Thursday night, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners and led by Assistant Commissioners, a total of 8,000 police officers and personnel will be on duty. In addition, Home Guards will be deployed to assist the police.

The city police said arrangements have been made to monitor around 350 churches in Chennai through police teams led by officers on a rotational basis, to ensure smooth traffic flow, and carry out comprehensive security duties. Additional law and order, crime branch and traffic police personnel have been deployed at churches that attract large crowds, including Mylapore Santhome Church, Besant Nagar Velankanni Church, Parry’s St. Antony’s Church, St. George’s (Cathedral) Church on Anna Salai, and Chinnamalai Church in Saidapet, to ensure security and regulate traffic.

Near churches, where large crowds are expected to gather, police teams will use public address systems to create safety awareness and issue instructions to prevent overcrowding. Patrol vehicle teams will conduct continuous rounds to prevent criminals from engaging in pickpocketing, theft, and other offences by taking advantage of the crowd. Surveillance will also be carried out using CCTV cameras and drone cameras. Crime branch personnel and women police in plain clothes will monitor sensitive areas to prevent theft, acts of sexual harassment, and other offences.

Barricades will be placed at important junctions and special vehicle checks will be conducted using flashing lights, with special arrangements to prevent chain snatching, mobile phone snatching, and similar crimes.

At beaches such as Marina, Santhome, Besant Nagar, and Neelankarai, special arrangements have been made to prevent the public from entering the sea, issue safety advisories, and carry out monitoring and security duties using All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), said the city police.