.jpg)
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday said that although there has been a decrease in murders during 2012, when compared with 2011, robbery under arms increased by 21%, with 1065 reports compared to 879 for 2011. The statistics indicate an increase of 16% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 30% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
A press release said that while the GPF continues to make efforts to grapple with robberies, police patrols, along with community assistance, especially through Community Policing Groups and Neighbourhood Police personnel, have resulted in significant decreases in the offences of larceny from the person by 21%, burglary by 18%, and break and enter and larceny by 10%.
It added that a total of 111 firearms have been recovered by the police during 2012, comprising 28 pistols, 39 revolvers, 31 shotguns and 13 rifles.
The statement noted that an overall decrease of 1% in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of December 2012, in comparison with 2011.
The total number of reports of serious crimes made during 2012 was 3,777 compared to 3,823 in 2011. Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.
The release stated that a total of 137 murders were recorded for 2012, in comparison to 130 murders during the year 2011, a five percent increase. Of the 137 murders, 62 were of the disorderly type, 11 were committed during armed robberies, 24 were domestic related and nine execution type, while the other 31 are so far undetermined.
The document added that during 2012, 24 of the murder victims were women (16 of which were domestic related). During 2011, 34 of the murder victims were women (21 of which were domestic related).
Police reported that in 2012, 80 kilograms 586 grams of cocaine was seized during police operations, resulting in 115 cases being made, with a total of 124 persons charged; 131,927 kilograms 909 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) was seized and destroyed, from which 493 cases were made and 540 persons charged.
During 2012, a total of 750 Guyanese nationals were deported from the United States , Canada, United Kingdom, Trinidad, Barbados, French Guiana, Suriname, St. Maarten, Curacao, France, Antigua, Jamaica, Holland, Costa Rica, and Spain.
They were mainly from the U.S. (158), Canada (112), Trinidad (128), Barbados (82), and Suriname (234). The major reasons were for drug-related and other criminal offences, illegal entry, overstaying time, and denial of refugee status.
As for traffic, there has been a four percent reduction in road fatalities for 2012, in comparison to 2011, with 110 fatalities in 2012, compared to 115 during 2011.
The 110 road deaths last year is the lowest figure recorded in forty three years. In 1969 the total number of road fatalities was 169. The previous lowest figure was recorded in 2008 when 113 persons lost their lives on the roadways.
Pedestrians were the main road users affected, with 34 such persons having lost their lives on the roads during last year. In addition, 18 pedal cyclists, 19 motor cyclists and 20 drivers of motor vehicles also lost their lives.
The highest number of road deaths for last year occurred in “A” Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) where 41 persons lost their lives in 38 fatal accidents. The ‘black spots’ in relation to these accidents were mainly along Lamaha Street, Norton Street, Durban Street, Nelson Mandela Avenue, and between Houston and Eccles, and Supply and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara.
Speeding continued to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents, causing 78 of the 102 fatal accidents during 2012. According to statistics, the other contributory elements are driving under the influence, distracted or inattentive drivers, and the non-compliance with traffic signals.
Traffic enforcement by the police in 2012 resulted in a total of 69,653 cases being made against errant motorists; of this total 14, 877 cases were for speeding.
Last year also continued to see reductions in relation to the other categories of traffic accidents, serious and minor.
During the past year, in addition to its traffic education programme, which included traffic lectures to schools, enforcement operations by the Police Traffic Department have for the most part focused on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, defective vehicles, unlicensed drivers, inconsiderate driving, reckless and negligent driving, safety belts, cell phone use while operating vehicles, overloaded minibuses and minibus route transgressions.
More attention will be paid this year to outstanding traffic tickets, illegible number plates, parking violations and general moving violations which have the potential of developing into more serious problems.
One road fatality has been recorded so far for the month of January 2013, compared to one for the same period last year.
A press release said that while the GPF continues to make efforts to grapple with robberies, police patrols, along with community assistance, especially through Community Policing Groups and Neighbourhood Police personnel, have resulted in significant decreases in the offences of larceny from the person by 21%, burglary by 18%, and break and enter and larceny by 10%.
It added that a total of 111 firearms have been recovered by the police during 2012, comprising 28 pistols, 39 revolvers, 31 shotguns and 13 rifles.
The statement noted that an overall decrease of 1% in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of December 2012, in comparison with 2011.
The total number of reports of serious crimes made during 2012 was 3,777 compared to 3,823 in 2011. Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.
The release stated that a total of 137 murders were recorded for 2012, in comparison to 130 murders during the year 2011, a five percent increase. Of the 137 murders, 62 were of the disorderly type, 11 were committed during armed robberies, 24 were domestic related and nine execution type, while the other 31 are so far undetermined.
The document added that during 2012, 24 of the murder victims were women (16 of which were domestic related). During 2011, 34 of the murder victims were women (21 of which were domestic related).
Police reported that in 2012, 80 kilograms 586 grams of cocaine was seized during police operations, resulting in 115 cases being made, with a total of 124 persons charged; 131,927 kilograms 909 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) was seized and destroyed, from which 493 cases were made and 540 persons charged.
During 2012, a total of 750 Guyanese nationals were deported from the United States , Canada, United Kingdom, Trinidad, Barbados, French Guiana, Suriname, St. Maarten, Curacao, France, Antigua, Jamaica, Holland, Costa Rica, and Spain.
They were mainly from the U.S. (158), Canada (112), Trinidad (128), Barbados (82), and Suriname (234). The major reasons were for drug-related and other criminal offences, illegal entry, overstaying time, and denial of refugee status.
As for traffic, there has been a four percent reduction in road fatalities for 2012, in comparison to 2011, with 110 fatalities in 2012, compared to 115 during 2011.
The 110 road deaths last year is the lowest figure recorded in forty three years. In 1969 the total number of road fatalities was 169. The previous lowest figure was recorded in 2008 when 113 persons lost their lives on the roadways.
Pedestrians were the main road users affected, with 34 such persons having lost their lives on the roads during last year. In addition, 18 pedal cyclists, 19 motor cyclists and 20 drivers of motor vehicles also lost their lives.
The highest number of road deaths for last year occurred in “A” Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) where 41 persons lost their lives in 38 fatal accidents. The ‘black spots’ in relation to these accidents were mainly along Lamaha Street, Norton Street, Durban Street, Nelson Mandela Avenue, and between Houston and Eccles, and Supply and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara.
Speeding continued to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents, causing 78 of the 102 fatal accidents during 2012. According to statistics, the other contributory elements are driving under the influence, distracted or inattentive drivers, and the non-compliance with traffic signals.
Traffic enforcement by the police in 2012 resulted in a total of 69,653 cases being made against errant motorists; of this total 14, 877 cases were for speeding.
Last year also continued to see reductions in relation to the other categories of traffic accidents, serious and minor.
During the past year, in addition to its traffic education programme, which included traffic lectures to schools, enforcement operations by the Police Traffic Department have for the most part focused on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, defective vehicles, unlicensed drivers, inconsiderate driving, reckless and negligent driving, safety belts, cell phone use while operating vehicles, overloaded minibuses and minibus route transgressions.
More attention will be paid this year to outstanding traffic tickets, illegible number plates, parking violations and general moving violations which have the potential of developing into more serious problems.
One road fatality has been recorded so far for the month of January 2013, compared to one for the same period last year.
