The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a 12% decrease in serious crimes at the end of February in comparison to the same period last year.
According to Police statistics released today, a total of 25 murders were recorded at the end of February 2016, the same as the corresponding period in 2015. Of the 25 murders at the end of February this year 9 were committed during robberies, 5 were domestic related, 10 were of the disorderly type, with 1 so far undetermined.
Robbery under arms, for February 2016 overall has decreased by 4% in comparison to the same period in 2015. A decrease of 9% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms was recorded; while there was a 4% increase in relation to the number of armed robberies, where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
The statistics have revealed that there has been a decrease of 13% in the number of reports of rape, with 48 reports at the end of February this year compared to 55 for the same period last year.
Murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping were among these.
The Police also reports that Break and Enter and Larceny and Burglary have shown an overall decrease of 11%. There has been a 17% reduction in Break and Enter and Larceny, by itself.
A total of 10 illegal firearms have been recovered by the police comprising 5 pistols, 4 revolvers and a shotgun.
At the end of February 2016 there were 473 reports of domestic violence made, resulting in 311 cases.
The Police Public Relations Department said the Traffic Department has intensified its enforcement activities with special focus on speeding and driving under the influence, driving motor cycles without safety helmets and using cell phones while driving a motor vehicle.
There have been 17 road fatalities from 17 accidents recorded at the end of February2016, in comparison to 19 fatalities from 12 accidents for the same period in 2015, reflecting a decrease of 11%. “One child has died as a result of a traffic accident unto the end of February this year, compared to 7 for the same period last year. There have been decreases in the other categories of traffic accidents comprising serious, minor and damage,” the Police revealed.
Pedestrians remain the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities with 5 such persons having lost their lives at the end of February 2016. Additionally, 3 pedal cyclists, 3 motor cyclists, 4 drivers, 1 passenger in a motor vehicle and 1 pillion rider also lost their lives.
Speeding also remains the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of 10 of the 17 fatal accidents at the end of February 2016.
The Police reported that traffic enforcement has resulted in a total of 11,783 cases for this year being made against errant motorists at the end of February 2016. Of this amount 4,080 cases were for speeding, 442 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 130 for using cell phones while driving and 379for failing to wear seat belts.
Up to yesterday, Sunday March 13, 2016, the stats show that a total of 6 more persons had lost their lives from 6 fatal accidents.
It assures that “efforts aimed at crime prevention through its police-community partnership programme along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths, such as the Impact Albouystown Project and Police Youth Clubs” are continuing.
The GPF said meaningful support in this regard continues to be given by members of the religious community attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network.
