Murders increase by 27.69% in 2020 – acting Top Cop

…86.5% increase in cocaine seizures recorded

Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie on Thursday related that the Force has seen a 27.69 per cent increase in murders for the period January 2020 to present when compared to the same period last year.

Women being murdered by their spouses catered for more than a quarter of the total number. However, the force has recorded a 71.4 per cent increase in its clear-up rate, and an 83.5 per cent increase for robbery under arms where firearms were used.
Despite this, there was an overall decrease of 4.3 per cent in serious crimes committed for the period January 2020 to present.
Further, the acting Top Cop reported that there was a decrease of 8.9 percent in break and larceny, with a 6.1 per cent decrease in burglary when compared to the corresponding period.
In relation to illicit substances, there was an 86.5 per cent increase in cocaine seizures from January to present. This amounted to 489.87 kilograms and resulted in 39 persons being charged, with 28 cases made.
A total of 758.77 kilograms of cannabis were seized for the year thus far which represents a 21 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2019. Some 418 persons were charged and 308 cases were made. For ecstasy, a total of 313.35 were lodged with 10 persons charged.
With respect to cannabis eradication, the Police conducted 38 operations which saw the destruction of 314 acres comprising 534, 712 plants. This amounted to over one million kilograms while dried cannabis weighed 266, 607 kilograms.
Meanwhile, in the traffic department, an increase of 21 per cent in fatal accidents were recorded. It shows that 120 accidents were recorded for 2020 when compared to 99 for 2019. There was a consequential 15 per cent increase in fatalities, showing 130 for 2020 compared with 113 last year.
The acting Top Cop said that the Force has performed creditably despite these challenges. He shared that in spite of some unsavoury incidents, they have been able to maintain a safe and secure environment within the country.
“We are aware that more needs to be done, but we are also aware that we have prevailed,” he positioned.
Only last week, the acting Police Commissioner revealed that foreign nationals have predominantly found themselves in exploitative sex and labour situations in Guyana.
In analysing statistics from 2018 to present, he said there were 632 suspected victims of human trafficking, of which foreign nationals accounted for 579. According to him, these persons are nationals of Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti.
For the reporting period, 84 reports were accepted, which led to 58 court cases and only six convictions, he disclosed. There are still cases pending before the courts. Nevertheless, he said that these numbers show that a considerable amount of work is being done by local and international stakeholders to win the fight against human trafficking, which has resulted in Guyana sustaining its Tier 1 ranking.
The Force is continuing with its strategic plan which runs from 2019 through 2021 under the five pillars namely: operational priorities, developing our people, partnership, performance and infrastructure.
In the area of domestic violence, the Force has a unit in each policing region which is working closely with the Human Services and Social Protection Ministry and plays an integral role in the monitoring of activities specific to the recently-established 914 Hotline.
Members of the Force were reminded of their responsibility to act professionally at all times and to treat each report and reporter with the highest level of professionalism.