The Guyana Police Force (GPF) says it has registered a 10% decrease in serious crimes at the end of April compared to last year but speeding continues to be a major factor in fatal accidents.
In a press release on Monday, the police said the total number of reports of serious crimes made by April 30, 2012 was 1268 compared to 1404 during the same period in 2011. Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.
“There continues to be a decrease in the number of murders during this year in comparison to the same period last year, 2011,” the GPF said.
Forty-four murders were recorded at the end of April 2011 while 36 have been recorded during the same period this year, an 18% decrease. Of the 36 murders, 16 were of the disorderly type, six domestic related and two were execution type while the other 12 are so far undetermined.
Robbery under arms increased by 19% with 337 reports compared to 284 during the same period in 2011. The statistics indicate a 10% increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 36% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
Regarding traffic incidents, there has been an 18% reduction in road fatalities with 28 at the end of April 2012 compared with 34 last year. Significant reductions have also been recorded in other categories of traffic accidents such as serious, minor, damage. To date drivers of motor vehicles have been the main road users affected with eight persons having lost their lives by April month end. Seven pedal cyclists and seven pedestrians also died in accidents over this period.
“Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents, causing 17 of the 27 fatal accidents at the end of April this year,” the police said.
As such, in addition to traffic education, the GPF is continuing its enforcement activities along with the use of breathalysers and radar guns and by April month end 23,385 cases had been made out against errant motorists. Of this total 5,556 cases were for speeding.
