Police record 18% decrease in serious crimes: 18% increase in road fatalities

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded an 18% decrease in serious crimes for 2016 thus far when compared to the same period last year.

 

Speaking during the GPF annual awards ceremony, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud said: “Regarding Crime, we have recorded a decrease of 18% in serious crimes relative to the same period last year and that decrease is reflected in every category of serious crimes.”

 

On the other hand, he said the force has made significant headway in its effort at solving cold cases: most of which was publicised extensively in the media.

 

“We have also reported a 70% clear-up on murders reported this year and have solved a number of cold cases, some of which occurred in excess of 10 years,” Persaud said.

 

The police recently announced that it will be reopening the Monica Reecee, Sheema Mangar and Trevor Rose murder cases.

 

In relation to traffic accidents, Persaud related that there has been “an increase of 18% of road fatalities when compared to last year.” However, he added that the rate of accidents has ‘slowed-down’ over the last two months.

 

The major contributory factors to road accidents, he highlighted is driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

 

The Commissioner said the police force had 14,214 cases of speeding and that has represented an increase of 21.4 percent for the corresponding last year.

 

Additionally, there has been 990 cases of driving under the influence were recorded which amounts to a 90 percent increase when compared to the rates last year.

 

The Police Traffic Department have been doing siren campaigns among others to address the issues of road fatalities, speeding, and other traffic violations.