Police statistics reveal crime increase

The Police High Command is reporting a significant increase in break-ins and robberies for the month of January.



Police statistics have revealed that there were 284 break-ins and 227 robberies last month.



This compares with 119 break-ins and 157 robberies in January 2008.



There was also a noted increase the cases of larceny, jumping from 7 in January 2008 to 39 last month.



Deputy Commissioner of police Mark Shields is again attributing the increase in crimes to the police’s new recording system.



The crime figures for January also show a decrease in murders compared with the similar period last year.



The police said there were 115 murders last month compared with 137 in January last year.



There was also a decline in carnal abuse cases, rapes and gun murders.



In January last year, there were 34 reports of carnal abuse, 53 rapes and 111 gun murders.



Last month, there were 18 carnal abuse cases, 48 rapes and 86 gun murders.