Police records 16% decrease in murders; 23% increase in robberies

The Guyana Police Force says it has recorded a seven percent decrease in serious crimes from January to the end of August 2018 when compared to the same period last year.

In statistics released on Wednesday, Police headquarters said there was a 16% decrease in murders.

There were 66 murders of which 28 were classified as disorderly and 19 as domestic; six of the murders were listed as “unknown.” There were 13 murders which occurred during robberies.

As it relates to robberies, the police reported a 23% increase in robberies where no instruments were used, with a total of 37 compared to 30 for the same period in 2017.

The police reported a one per cent increase in Robbery Under Arms where firearms were used amounting to 405 as opposed to 402 in 2017.

There was a 19% decrease in Robbery Under Arms where instruments other than firearms were used, a 5% increase in Robbery with Violence and a 30% decrease in Robbery With Aggravation.

There was also an 18% decrease in Larceny, a 1% decrease in Rape, a 4% increase in Burglary and a 9% decrease in Break and Enter and Larceny.

The Police Force said it seized 87 illegal firearms compared to 89 for the corresponding period last year.

In respect of Traffic Management, there was a7.4% decrease in Fatal Accidents recorded at the end of August 2018.

Serious, Minor and Damage Accidents have also been decreased by 24%, 35.4% and 10% respectively.

There were a total of 55 fatal accidents in the first eight months of 2018 resulting in the death of 64 road users. There were 64 fatal accidents resulting in 70 deaths for the same period of 2017. The most common vehicles involved are private cars and minibuses.

Serious accidents reduced from 220 to 168 during the same period in 2017.

Additionally, 59,068 cases were made against road users for the period January-August, 2018 with 13,903 for speeding, 2,389 for Driving under the influence of Alcohol and 2,906 for failing to conform to road signs.