Murders down by 34 percent

May 09, 2017 News

…as police record overall drop in serious crimes

Police recorded a 34 percent drop in murders and an overall four percent decrease in serious crimes for April, in comparison with the same period last year.
Crime statistics released yesterday by the Force also showed that there was a five percent decrease in robberies with no instruments used; a one percent decrease in robbery in which firearms were used; a one percent decrease in rape (99 up to last April in contrast in 100 in 2016); a four percent decrease in burglary; an 18 percent decrease in break and enter and larceny; a 63 percent increase in larceny from the person; a 22 percent increase in robbery with aggravation; a 95 percent increase in robbery with violence and a five percent increase in Robbery under Arms where instruments other than firearms were used.
The statistics show that there were 35 reported murders at the end of April, while there were 53 homicides during the same period in 2016. Of the homicides, 20 were of the disorderly type, four domestic, five committed during robberies, three were execution-type killings, and 22 in which the motive was unknown.
There were also 196 robberies in which firearms were used, in contrast to 197 in 2016. But it was not all good news, since there 117 robberies in which instruments other than firearms were used, in contrast to 111 up to April 2016.
There were also 29 reports of robbery with violence, in contrast to 57 up to last April.
Between last January and April, Police also seized 45 unlicensed firearm, in contrast to 23 between January and April 2016. They included 22 pistols, six revolvers, nine shotguns and eight rifles.
‘A’ and ‘F’ Divisions had the most seizures (16 each, ‘C’ Division six, ‘B’ Division four and ‘D’ Division three.
In relation to traffic accidents, the Traffic Department recorded a 19 percent decrease in fatal accidents, a 14 percent decrease in deaths (38 as against 44) and a 67 percent decrease in deaths of children (one as against three last year).