NEW DELHI - An all-female police motorbike squad is set to take to Delhi's streets next month, a senior police official said, as reports of violence against women rise in the Indian capital.

The 'Raftaar' or 'Speed' squad of 600 policewomen will ride in pairs through the streets on state-of-the-art motorbikes, equipped with guns, pepper sprays and body cameras.

"Basically it is a robust street criminal containment strategy," Delhi police spokesman Dependra Pathak told The Hindustan Times.