AT the end of November 2015 the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a 9% increase in serious crimes compared to the same period in 2014. However, following the launch of ‘Operation Dragnet’ on December 01, 2015, along with intelligence-led policing and improved cooperation from the public, this has been decreased to 7% as at December 11, 2015.

According to a GPF press release, 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.

A total of 133 murders were recorded at the end of November 2015, in comparison to 130 murders at the end of November 2014 — an increase of 2%.

At the end of November 2015, robbery under arms overall had increased by 4%, in comparison to the same period in 2014. The statistics indicate an increase of 6% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, while the figures are almost similar in relation to the number of armed robberies wherein instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

The statistics have revealed that there has been an increase of 26% in the number of reports of rape, with 300 reports at the end of November this year, compared to 238 for the same period last year.

Break and enter and larceny and burglary have shown an overall increase of 11%.

As at the end of November this year, a total of 103 illegal firearms had been recovered by the police. Those comprised 1 sub-machine gun, 56 pistols, 28 revolvers, 11 shotguns, 6 rifles and 1 pen-gun. A total of 81 illegal firearms were recovered as at this time last year.

The Police Force is continuing its efforts to prevent crime through the police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the policing divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths, such as the Impact Albouystown Project and youth clubs. Meaningful support in this regard is being given by members of the religious community attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network.

Senior officers of the Police Force’s Executive Leadership Team and Divisional Commanders also held a number of community outreach meetings where issues and concerns raised by members of the public were addressed.

During November 2015, there was a total of seven interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network, which treats with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to their going to the New Opportunity Corps.

From the launch of the Cops and Faith Community Network in September 2013 to the period November 30, 2015, there has been a total of 245 such interventions. In all cases, the youths were counselled by the religious leaders; and following the involvement of parents/guardians and the victims where necessary, the majority of youths were warned and sent away.

In relation to the Family Liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, which is also under the Cops and Faith Community Network, during November 2015, there were fifteen (15) interventions by members of the religious community in response to attempted suicides and cases of serious crimes, including rape, armed robbery and murder, where the affected persons, victims and relatives accordingly, were counselled.

In relation to traffic, 112 road fatalities from 95 accidents have been recorded at the end of November 2015, in comparison to 130 fatalities from 121 accidents for the same period in 2014, a decrease of 21%. There have also been decreases in the serious and minor categories of road accidents, and a 4% increase in damage accidents. Pedestrians has been the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities, with 40 such persons having lost their lives at the end of November 2015. In addition, 11 pedal cyclists, 28 persons in motor vehicles, 15 motor cyclists, 14 drivers, 3 pillion riders and 1 person being towed on a bicycle also lost their lives.

Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of 43 of the 95 fatal accidents unto November 2015. Traffic enforcement by the police has resulted in a total of 50,715 cases for this year being made against errant motorists at the end of November 2015. Of this total, 21,576 cases were for speeding, 2,206 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 1,156 for using cell phone while driving, and 2,046 for failing to wear seat belt.

Up to Sunday, December 13, 2015, a total of 4 more persons have lost their lives from 4 fatal accidents.