–Police report 7% reduction in murder, 7 % reduction in armed robberies, 14% reduction in rape
SERIOUS crimes have been reduced by 16 per cent, but road fatalities continue to rise, according to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a release issued on Monday.GPF Public Relations Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said that, as at the end of May, serious crimes had decreased by 16 per cent. He said that murders have been reduced by seven per cent, while gun-related robberies have been reduced by 10 per cent.
Additionally, there was a seven per cent reduction in armed robberies where other instruments were used by the perpetrators, and a 26 per cent decrease in robberies where violence has been employed.
Robberies with aggravation have been decreased by 14 per cent. The Force has also recorded a 27 per cent decrease in each of the offences: break and enter, and larceny and burglary. A 14 per cent decrease has been recorded in rape; and a 52 per cent decrease has been recorded in larceny from the person.
However, incidents of robbery in which guns or other instruments were not used increased by 17 per cent.
Ramlakhan said the decrease in the crime rate is no doubt as a result of the initiatives taken by the Government, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Guyana Police Force to de-escalate the crime situation.
“The police are increasingly gaining the public’s trust, resulting in a higher level of information-sharing and the solving and prevention of serious crimes, inclusive of murder.
“Exposure to training both locally and internationally continues to be a top priority at all levels of the Force,” he explained.
However, road fatalities continue to increase: “We have recorded 62 fatalities at the end of May this year, which are 14 more than (for) the same period last year. While there was a reduction in serious accidents, there have been, again, increases in minor and damage accidents.
“Altogether, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and inattentiveness continue to be the main causes of fatal accidents,” the Superintendent explained.
The Guyana Police Force has thus far charged 30,788 persons with traffic offences this year. This includes 11,302 cases of speeding and 839 cases of driving under the influence.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to publicly thank all of its ranks, who have worked to the best of their abilities and in some cases beyond the call of duty during our 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations; and, more particularly, (for) their commitment in realising a reduction in serious crimes,” Superintendent Ramlakhan said.
