… serious crime down by 7%
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday disclosed that there has been an increase in robbery under arms and rape cases compared to last year at this time.
The statistics from January to May month-end show a seven per cent increase in robbery under arms, an eight per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used, and a four per cent increase in rape cases. Robberies were up by three per cent.
According to the GPF, serious crimes have decreased by seven per cent and there was a 23 per cent decrease in murder with a total of 36 murders recorded in 2018. Of these murders, 17 stemmed from disorderly circumstances, nine were a result of domestic causes, seven were robbery-related and three were labelled as unknown.
In addition, there was a 28 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than a firearm was used, a 34 per cent decrease in larceny, and a three per cent increase in burglary.
The Police also recorded a total of 55 firearms being taken off the streets so far for this year as compared to 64 for the corresponding period last year. The majority of guns seized were pistols – 33 in total. Most of them – 27 – were reportedly confiscated by the A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara).
Traffic management
In regard to traffic management, there was a 7.3 per cent decrease in fatal accidents recorded. Serious, minor and damage accidents also decreased by nine per cent, 32 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively.
Speeding accounted for 24 of 38 fatal accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol caused four. Four pedestrians lost their lives while crossing the roadway in the path of an approaching vehicle while two persons were killed owing to inattentiveness and one fatality resulted from failure to conform to signs.
A total of 16 pedestrians, eight pedal cyclists, 10 occupants in car, five motorcyclists, two minibus passengers, two drivers and one pillion rider were killed as of this year.
Approximately 8301 vehicles were stopped by officers for driving beyond the intended speed limit while 1674 drivers was in breach of condition of road service/music and 673 were driving under the influence of alcohol. A total of 1002 minibuses were counted for cases of minibus overload, 1447 tinted motor vehicles were identified, and 2549 drivers and passengers failed to wear seat belts.
The period of January to May concluded with a total of 37,019 reported offences, accidents and fatalities.
