Police crime statistics for last month indicate a decrease of 42% in the number of murders reported, compared to the same period last year.
The police say last month 81 murders were reported compared to 84 in July.
The figures show a decline compared to the same period last year which saw murders reaching a high of 139.
The force says the August figures represent the lowest number of murders recorded in any one month since the start of 2010.
This represents an overall reduction of 58 in recorded murders for the month.
This, the police force says, is the third consecutive month in 2010 that the number of murders has dipped below the 100 mark.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Glenmore Hines says several factors have contributed to the decline.
“The residual effect from the State of Emergency imposed earlier this year, the sustained anti-gang activities being conducted by the police, all divisions implementing an anti-gang plan which will be sustained in the main and the joint activity of the JCF and JDF has significantly contributed to the overall reduction in major crimes,”
“The theory is that if there are substantial numbers then you reduce the criminal free space and that is exactly what we have been doing and they are on the retreat. We have also arrested some important gang members,” DCP Hinds said.
In addition to this, five of the six other major crimes, shooting, carnal abuse, robbery, break-ins, and larceny showed significant declines for an overall 26% drop in major crimes for August 2010 when compared to August 2009.
Larceny has declined the most with a dip of 57% but there was an increase in cases of rape.
The police Geographic Division shows the largest percentage decline in August 2009 compared to August 2010 is the Kingston Central Division with a 90% downward movement, 10 murders in 2009 compared to one in 2010.
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