THE police have recorded a 21% decrease in serious crimes at the end of September when compared to the same period last year. In a statement,the police said there was a 9% reduction in reports of murder; a 5% decrease in gun-related robberies; a 17% decrease in armed robberies in which other instruments were used; a 15% decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a 25% decrease in Robberies With Violence; a 4% decrease in Robberies With Aggravation; a 33% decrease in Larceny from the Person; a 19% decrease in Rapes; a 13% decrease in Burglaries and a 21% decrease in Break and Enter and Larceny.
Additionally, 67 illegal firearms were seized, which include 29 pistols, 21 revolvers, and 17 shotguns. The police said the consistent and continuous reduction in all of the above listed serious crimes, is an indication that the strategies are working well, have yielded and will continue to yield positive results, thereby assuring all citizens that their collaborative effort in partnering with law enforcement is vital.
According to the police exposure to training, both locally and internationally, continues to be a priority at all levels of the force. From January to September of this year, 97 officers and other ranks benefited from overseas training in all aspects of policing as previously stated, but now includes a) Training to combat human trafficking for Judicial Authorities b) Victim identification, referral and assistance and c) Public Corruption and Ethics.
The force said the Cops and Faith Community Network continues to be of significant assistance to the force in its mandate as was alluded to in its August month release. In terms of Juvenile Offenders, they have now dealt with 389 males and 134 females, who have been spared the indignity of the Criminal Justice System, due to their intervention between the complainants/reporters, victims and the police.
Increased road fatalities
Meanwhile, the force said as regards traffic management, there has been an increase in road fatalities, with 100 deaths recorded at the end of September, which is 10 more than for the same period last year. It must be noted however, that had it not been for the operationalising 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. Traffic enforcement is continuous countrywide, the police said with “Operation Safeway” already creating an impact on the operators of all classes of vehicles. Special emphasis is placed on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and the other areas of concern, in order to reduce the carnage on our roads.