After months on the decline, the latest statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, show a marginal increase in serious and violent crimes, including murder.
The overall figure rose by 3.7 per cent.
From January 1 to June 29, there was a 0.6% increase in murders which totaled 675, up from 671 during the same period last year.
Kingston Central and Manchester were the police divisions with the biggest increases in murders, up 100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively.
Shootings were also up at 11 per cent with 660 cases reported while cases of aggravated assault were zero-point-five per cent higher.
Cases of rape declined 2.3 per cent.
Previous crime statistics for the January 1 to June 15 period showed murders declined nearly four per cent.
At that time the police recorded 608 murders compared to 632 during the same period in 2018.
Monday’s release of crime statistics comes days after National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang hinted at a shake-up of divisional commanders.
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