The police said yesterday that there has been a decrease of 2% in murders when figures of 115 for the same period last year and 113 at the end of October this year are compared.
According to a police press release, 44 of the murders committed this year have been of the disorderly type, while 23 were domestic related, 19 occurred during armed robberies and 5 were of the execution type.
“While the statistics show an increase of 21% in domestic related murders and 19% in disorderly murders, there has been a decrease of 58% in execution type murders and 10% in murders during armed robberies,” the police said.
The force said that robbery under arms has increased by 14% with 717 reports up to October 31 this year in comparison to 627 for the same period last year. It added that the statistics indicate an increase of 4% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 42% rise in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
In relation to traffic, the police said there have been five less road fatalities up to the end of October this year in comparison to the same period last year, with 98 this year and 103 last year, representing a 5% decrease. Ten children have died so far this year due to traffic accidents, compared to six at this time last year, the police said.
Pedestrians and pedal cyclists are the two main groups of road users affected with 36 persons and 18 persons, respectively, losing their lives.
Eve Leary said that the force is maintaining its “rigid enforcement towards road safety along with the use of breathalysers and radar guns and traffic education, and onto the end of October this year a total of 52,368 cases were made against errant motorists. Of this total 10,487 were for speeding and 919 for driving under the influence of alcohol.”
