—murders decrease by 65%, road fatalities decrease by 40%, robberies-under-arms increase by 40%
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday disclosed that its statistics reveals a 65% decrease in murders in January 2012, compared with January 2011, but robberies-under-arms have increased by 40% for this year. A total of 17 murders were recorded for January 2011, compared with six such crimes for January 2012. Of those six, two were classified disorderly types, one was domestic related, and the classifications of the other three are so far unknown.
Robberies-under-arms increased by 40% during January 2012, with 74 reported cases as against 53 during January 2011. Statistics indicates an 11% increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 113% increase in armed robberies in  which perpetrators used instruments other than firearms.
There has been a 38% reduction in road fatalities for January 2012, compared to January 2011, with eight fatalities for this year and 13 for last year.
January 2012 has also seen significant reductions in other categories of traffic accidents – serious, minor and damage.
So far, pedal cyclists are the main category of road users affected, with five such persons having lost their lives on the roads during January 2012. Speeding is again a major contributing factor to fatal accidents.
The Guyana Police Force has said it is continuing its enforcement activities, along with the use of breathalysers,  radar guns and traffic education; and at the end of January this year,  6,720 cases were made against errant motorists. Of this total 1,229 cases were for speeding.