Murders are down 11 per cent up to May 27 this year, when compared to last year. That’s according to the latest statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF.
Nora Gaye Banton reports.
Jamaica continues to record a decline in the homicide rate since the start of the year.
Between January 1 and May 27, 474 murders were recorded in the country. That’s 60 fewer than the 534 recorded in the same period last year. The figure represents a decline of 11 per cent.
Still, 142 people have been killed in the country between April 20 and May 27.
St. James continues to be the most murderous police division, recording 60 homicides to date. The western parish is followed by Westmoreland, which had 43 murders up to May 27.
Murders have increased in Trelawny, St. Elizabeth, East Kingston, St. Andrew Central, and St. Andrew North, when compared to 2023.
Portland continues to record the least number of murders, with 6.
Meanwhile, shootings increased by three per cent, with 435 so far this year. That’s 15 more than the number recorded for the review period last year.
However, other major crimes such as rapes, robberies, and break-ins continue to decline.
