Murders in Jamaica have risen by 15.5 per cent when compared to the first 23 days in January last year.

The latest statistics released on Monday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force show that 112 people have been killed since the start of 2022. This is compared to 97 for the similar period last year.

 

Westmoreland has registered a staggering increase when compared to the first 23 days of 2021.

 

The statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force have underscored the challenges being faced by the security forces in bringing down murders, despite improvements in other areas.

 

Four police divisions are already in double digits as it relates to murders.

 

Westmoreland, has seen a 500 per cent increase, with 12 murders compared to two during the corresponding period last year.

 

This makes it the police division with the second highest number of murders so far this year.

 

The division with the highest number of murders is St. James with 21. St. Catherine South is third with 11 and St. Catherine North is fourth with 10 homicides.

 

Portland was the only parish that had not registered a murder up to Sunday.

 

However, the police statistics show that other major crimes have declined. Shootings are down 16.5 per cent, robberies by 2.9 per cent and break-ins are down 28.3 per cent.

 

Incidents of rape have also declined by 65.3 per cent.

 

Cabinet was briefed on Monday on the crime situation.