New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS): Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said Sunday they will soon launch a new initiative that will allow people to file FIRs online for crimes such as theft and forgery and also a new helpline to ensure the safety of foreigners here.

"A special initiative has been taken through which people will be able to file the FIR (First Information Report) for crimes such as theft and forgery sitting at home, through the police website," said Bassi at the 67th Raising Day of Delhi Police.

"The facility will be launched Feb 18-19," added Bassi.

The commissioner said the new four-digit helpline number for foreigners would also be introduced soon to make it easy for them to register their complaints as the previous 10-digit number was difficult to memorise.

Bassi also announced Friday the setting up of a special cell and helpline number - 1093 - for the northeastern people in the city.

It was Feb 16, 1948, that D.W. Mehra was appointed the first Inspector General of Police of Delhi, and since then this day is celebrated as Delhi Police Raising Day.

Currently, the total strength of Delhi Police stands at 83,762.