POLICE yesterday said 1,257 cases of serious crimes were reported between January 1 and April 30, 2013, compared to 1,281 such cases reported for the corresponding period in 2012. Offences specifically reviewed were murder, burglary, rape, kidnapping, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, and break and enter and larceny.   

Murders committed during both years stood at 36, with those committed during 2013  comprising 14 of the disorderly type, seven during armed robberies, one execution type, three domestic related, and 11 so-far undetermined.

As at end April 2013, reported robbery-under-arms offences stood at 288, showing decrease by 16% compared with 344 for the same period in 2012.

Incidents of armed robberies also decreased dramatically this year, compared to last year. Those involving firearms decreased by 16%, while those involving instruments other than firearms decreased by 22%.