.png)
By Halshane Burke
The latest crime statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) indicate a 12 per cent drop in murders up to May 25 when compared to the same period last year.
There were 464 murders up to May 25 this year, while the same period in 2023 saw 528 people being murdered.
The St. Mary Police Division saw the highest reduction, with murders going down by 46 per cent.
This was followed by the Kingston Western Police Division, with a 42 per cent reduction, while St. Thomas and Clarendon reported 36 per cent and 35 per cent reductions, respectively.
Despite the overall reduction, the St. Elizabeth Police Division saw a 112 per cent increase in murders, moving from eight to 17, and the St. Andrew Central division recorded a 64 per cent increase, moving from 17 to 28.
The gun featured in 385 of the reported murders, with the knife claiming 30 lives and other implements used in the killings of the remaining 49 people.
The police report that 14 children are among those who were murdered during the period under review, when compared to the nine killed during the same period last year.
Twenty-four children are reported to have been victims of shooting so far this year, which is two fewer than the same period in 2023.
The statistics reveal that there has been an 11 per cent increase in charges being laid against people involved in murder - 210, compared with 189 last year.
In the meantime, the police report that 348 firearms have been seized during the period under review, compared with 317 last year -along with 4,892 rounds of ammunition.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
