INFORMATION released by the Police Force has reflected an increase in serious crimes during January to the end of May 2015, when compared to the corresponding period for 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.
In a press release issued yesterday, the police stated that 66 murders were recorded at the end of May 2015, in comparison to 59 murders at the end of May 2014, an increase of 12%.
Unto to June 11, 2015, eight murders have been recorded compared to 6 for the same period in June 2014.
At the end of May, 2015, robbery under arms overall decreased by 8% in comparison to the same period in 2014.
The statistics indicate a decrease of 9% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 6% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
Further, at the end of May this year, a total of 50 illegal firearms were recovered by the police, comprising 31 pistols, 10 revolvers, 3 shotguns, 5 rifles and 1 pen-gun.
In this light, the police are advising members of the public to be vigilant and to report to the police any suspicious person or persons who they may observe to be lurking in their neighbourhood, during the day or night.
The police reported that while serious crimes are increasing, their investigations are leading to the perpetrators being caught and placed before the court.
Investigations were conducted into the murder of taxi-driver Dennis Narine that occurred at his home at Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, on May 31, 2015, resulting in Ravindra Ramdat, 20 years, of Grove, EBD, being charged with murder.
He appeared at the Wales Magistrate Court yesterday, when he was remanded to prison until July 31, 2015.
There has been no arrest as yet as investigations continue into the murder of Alicia McPherson, 17, who was fatally stabbed at ‘B’ Field, Sophia, on April 19, 2015. A wanted bulletin has been issued for the prime suspect in this matter.
In addition, investigations are continuing into the murder of Shawn Anys of Turkeyen, ECD, who was shot and killed during an armed robbery at his home on May 1, 2015.
However, in relation to the murder of Sherwin Barrow, 19, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was shot and killed during an argument with two men at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, on May 06, 2015, a suspect was arrested and subsequently released.
Meanwhile, the suspect in the murder of Indian national Amendria Singh, which occurred at his home at D’Aguiar Park, EBD, on May 26, 2015, remains hospitalised and under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Even as these and other investigations continue, the police say they are in the process of re-intensifying efforts aimed at crime prevention through their police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions with special emphasis on empowering youths.
There was a lull in activities in this regard during May, 2015, owing to security preparations for the General Elections.
However, members of Youth Clubs in ‘E’ Division (Linden) benefited from Information Technology Classes and First Aid Training during the month.
In addition, officers and other ranks of ‘B’ Division (Berbice) assisted in the cleaning up of New Amsterdam and were also involved in the enhancing of the environment at St. Theresa’s Primary School.
During the month of May also there were three interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network (CFCN) which treats with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a pre-emptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps.
Since the launch of the CFCN and unto May 31, 2015, there has been a total of 156 such interventions.
In all cases, youths were counselled by religious leaders, and following the involvement of parents/guardians, and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were warned and sent away, the police stated. (GINA)