Police say serious crime down by 4%

…fatal accidents down by 19%

The Guyana Police Force on Monday disclosed a four per cent decrease in serious crime up to the end of April 2017 when compared to the same period last year.
The Police in a release stated that a total of 35 murders was recorded up to the end of April compared to 53 during the same period in 2016 – a 34 per cent decrease.
Of the 35 murders, 20 were as a result of disorderly behaviour; four as a result of domestic disputes; five, robberies under arms and three, execution-style killings. The Police are yet to determine the circumstances of the remaining three murders.
Fourteen of the murders were committed in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank) followed by 10 in F Division (Interior Locations); six in B Division (Berbice) and four in D Division (West Demerara). One of the heinous crimes was committed in C Division (East Coast).
The Police further stated that there was a five per cent decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a one per cent reduction of robbery under arms and a one per cent decrease in rape.
In addition, the Police recorded a four per cent decrease in burglary as well as an 18 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny, but there was a whopping 63 per cent increase in larceny from the person and a 22 per cent increase in robbery with aggravation.
There has been a 95 per cent increase in robbery with violence and a five per cent increase in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used.
Over the past four months, the Police have seized 45 illegal firearms, 22 more than for the corresponding period last year. Twenty-two were pistols; six, revolvers; nine, shotguns and eight, rifles.
Of the 45 guns seized, 32 were found in A and F Divisions, six in C Division, four in B Division and three in D Division.

Traffic
Meanwhile, with respect to traffic, the Police have recorded a 19 per cent decrease in fatal accidents. Thirty-eight fatalities were recorded at the end of April, compared to 44 for the same period in 2016.
A total of 22,896 cases was made against errant drivers between January 1 and April 30, 2017. Speeding and breaches of conditions of road service licence/music accounted for 6982 of that total.
The Police are contending that the reduction in serious crimes and fatal and other categories of accidents is certainly a result of the many strategies employed by the Force.