THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has said that based on its statistics, the offences of murder and robbery under arms for the period January 1 to February 28, 2014 compare with the same period in 2013 as follows:There has been an increase of 42% in armed robberies. At the end of February 2014 robbery under arms overall had increased by 42%, with 206 reports being recorded, compared to 145 for the same period in 2013.

The statistics indicate an increase of 62% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 12% decrease in armed robberies in which instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

However, an overall increase of 1% in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of February 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

The total number of reports of serious crimes made between January 1 and February 28, 2014 was 642, compared to 637 for the same period in 2013.

Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, breaking and entering, and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.

Police added that a total of 24 murders were recorded at the end of February 2014, compared to 20 murders for the same period in 2013, showing a 20% increase. Of those 24 murders, four were of the disorderly type, five were committed during armed robberies, and three were domestic related, while the other 12 are so far undetermined.
 
TRAFFIC SITUATION
In relation to traffic, 19 road fatalities from 18 accidents have been recorded at the end of February 2014. A total of 19 road fatalities from 17 accidents had been recorded for the same period in 2013. The other categories of accidents – serious, minor and damage – have seen reductions up to the end of February this year in comparison to last year.

Pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with eight such persons having lost their lives at the end of February 2014. In addition, six motor cyclists, four pedal cyclists, and one passenger of a motor vehicle lost their lives by accident.

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents, and was the cause of 12 of the 18 fatal accidents recorded at the end of February 2014.

Traffic enforcement by the police has resulted in a total of 13,321 cases being made against errant motorists up to the end of February, 2014. Of this total, 3,418 cases were for speeding.

To date, one person has lost his life on the road for the month of March, 2014.
Written By Michel Outridge