Murders surpass 300, but 14% lower than this time last year

The national murder toll has surpassed the 300 mark, the Jamaica Constabulary Force's latest serious crimes statistics show.

The JCF says as at April 13, there had been 311 murders committed across the 19 police divisions, a 14 per cent decline or 50 fewer murders year on year.

St James with 41; St Catherine South, 29; Westmoreland, 28; St Andrew South, 25; St Ann, 21; and Clarendon, 21, are the five divisions with the highest number of homicides.

Portland has the fewest murders, with two reports.

Shootings are up three per cent and robberies are up one per cent, when compared with the corresponding period in 2023.

Rape incidents and break-ins have declined 37 per cent and six per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the new commissioner of police, Dr Kevin Blake last week at the JCF's first quarterly press briefing touched on the reduction in serious crimes and said greater focus will be placed on removing illegal guns from the streets.

The police say there has been a seven per cent increase in gun seizures and 41 per cent increase in ammunition seizures.

- Andre Williams

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