THE total number of reported serious crimes recorded by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) between January 01 and November 30, 2013 was 3,690, compared with 3,522 for the same period in 2012, thereby showing a five percent statistical increase for 2013.

These offences include murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
A, total, of 130 murders was recorded at the end of November 2013, compared with 126 for the same period in 2012, registering a 3% increase for 2013. Of the 130 murders this year, 52 were of the disorderly type, 21 were committed during armed robberies, four were execution type, 21 were domestic related, while the other 32 are so far undetermined, the GPF said.
The police noted that, overall, commission of robbery-under-arms offences increased by 7%, with 1,038 cases being reported at the end of November 2013, compared to 971 for the same period in 2012.
Statistics for 2013 also indicated a 16% increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 7% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
Road fatalities at the end of November 2013, increased by two over 2012 statistics. There were 100 fatalities from 92 accidents in 2013, compared to 98 fatalities from 90 accidents during 2012. The 2013 period saw reductions in other categories of traffic accidents – serious, minor and damage.
So far, pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with 37 such persons having lost their lives at the end of November 2013.
In addition, 16 motor cyclists, 12 pedal cyclists, 14 drivers of motor vehicles, three pillion riders and 18 passengers of motor vehicles also lost their lives during 2013.
Speeding continues to be a major contributory factor to fatal accidents, and was the cause of 65 of the 92 fatal accidents recorded at the end of November 2013.
Police traffic enforcement activities during 2013 resulted in a total of 107,650 cases being made against errant motorists, of which 20,443 were for speeding.

(By Michel Outridge)