THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) said yesterday that as at the end of February 2015, serious crimes have shown a 4% decrease compared with the corresponding period in 2014. Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
At the end of February 2015, a total of 25 murders was recorded, compared with 24 at the end of February 2014, showing an increase of 4%; but incidences of robbery under arms committed in 2015 showed an overall decrease of 29% compared to the same period in 2014.
Incidences of armed robberies involving the use of firearms also decreased in 2015 by 33%, as did incidences of armed robberies involving instruments other than firearms, which showed a 22% decrease in 2015.
Traffic Statistics

Nineteen road fatalities from 12 accidents have been recorded at the end of February 2015, as against 19 fatalities from 19 accidents for the same period in 2014.

All other categories of road accidents — serious, minor and damage — have recorded decreases.

Passengers in motor vehicles have so far been the main category of road users affected in road fatalities, with nine such persons having lost their lives at the end of February 2015. In addition, 1 pedal cyclist, 6 pedestrians and 3 drivers also lost their lives.

Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of 7 of the 12 fatal accidents unto February 2015.

Traffic enforcement by the police has resulted in a total of 10,301 cases being made against errant motorists at the end of February 2015. Of this total, 3,449 cases were for speeding, 253 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 273 for failing to wear seat belts. (Michel Outridge)