An overall increase of 7% in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of January 2014 in comparison to January 2013, the police said yesterday.
The total number of reports of serious crimes made during January 2014 was 341 compared to 318 in January 2013, a statement from Police Headquarters, Eve Leary said.
A total of 17 murders were recorded at the end of January 2014 in comparison to 10 murders for the same period in 2013. Of the 17 during January 2014, 4 were of the disorderly type, 3 were committed during armed robberies, and 3 were domestic related, while the other 7 are so far undetermined.
At the end of January 2014 robbery under arms overall rose by 44%, with 105 reports compared to 73 for the same period in 2013. The statistics show an increase of 50% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 30% rise in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
In relation to traffic, there has been an increase 4 road fatalities at the end of January 2014 in comparison to the same period in 2013, with 11 fatalities from 10 accidents in January 2014 compared to 7 fatalities from 6 accidents during January 2013. January 2014 saw reductions in the other categories of accidents that comprise serious, minor and damage.
Pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 6 such persons having lost their lives at the end of January 2014. In addition 3 motor cyclists and 2 pedal cyclists have also lost their lives.
