According to just released police statistics, there has been an eight per cent increase in murders since the start of the year, with 1,294 people being killed, as against 1,202 during the corresponding period last year.
Despite the rise in deaths, there has been a six per cent reduction in shooting, falling from 1,062 to 1,001, while the number of persons wounded in shootings has decreased from 980 up to this point last year, to 932 this year.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force also reported 7,063 robberies since the start of the year, an increase of 21 per cent over the corresponding period last year.
Break-ins have increased as well, moving from 757 to 828, a nine per cent hike.
