Police stats show 21% reduction in serious crimes; increase in road fatalities

The Guyana Police Force is once again reporting a decrease in serious crimes. Statistics released today show a 21 percent reduction in those crimes at the end of September, 2016 relative to the same period last year.

 

These statistics claim a 9% reduction in reports of murder; a 5% decrease in gun-related robberies; a 17% decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used; a 15% decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a 25% decrease in Robbery With Violence; a 4% decrease in Robbery With Aggravation; a 33% decrease in Larceny from the Person; a 19% decrease in Rape; a 13% decrease in Burglary and a 21% decrease in Break and Enter and Larceny respectively.

 

Sixty-seven illegal firearms were seized which includes 29 pistols, 21 revolvers, and 17 shotguns.

 

According to the police, the consistent reduction in serious crimes is an indication that the strategies employed are working well, have yielded and will continue to yield positive results.

 

In this vein, the Force is assuring citizens that their collaborative effort in partnering with law enforcement is vital.

 

The Police press release further stated that exposure to training both locally and internationally continues to be a priority at all levels of the Force.

 

It noted that from January to September of this year, ninety-seven officers and other ranks benefitted from overseas training in all aspect of policing, including Victim identification, Public Corruption and Ethics.

 

 

However, with regard to Traffic Management, the police are reporting an increase, in road fatalities, with One hundred deaths recorded at the end of September, which is ten more than the same period last year.

 

But, according to the police, had it not been for the commencement of “Operation Safeway” in Mid-September, that number would have likely been higher.

 

There was a reduction in serious and minor accidents by 12.2% and 9% respectively.

 

Five thousand four hundred and three (5,403) cases have been recorded, thus far with 1,712 persons charged with speeding and  54, 097 persons charged with traffic offences so far this year.