The Guyana Police Force today said that up to the end of February this year, armed robbery had risen by 42% compared to the same period last year.
In a statement, it said that an overall increase of 1% in serious crimes was recorded at the end of February 2014 in comparison to the same period in 2013. The total number of reports of serious crimes made between January 01 and February 28, 2014, was 642 compared to 637 for the same period in 2013. Some of the offences in this category are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.
A total of 24 murders were recorded at the end of February 2014 in comparison to 20 murders for the same period in 2013, a 20% increase. The police said that of the 24 murders at the end of February 2014, 4 were of the disorderly type, 5 were committed during armed robberies, and 3 were domestic related, while the other 12 are so far undetermined.
At the end of February 2014 robbery under arms overall has risen by 42%, with 206 reports compared to 145 for the same period in 2013. The statistics indicate an increase of 62% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 12% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
In relation to traffic, 19 road deaths from 18 accidents have been recorded at the end of February 2014. A total of 19 road deaths from 17 accidents had been recorded for the same period in 2013. The other categories of accidents – serious, minor and damage – have seen reductions unto the end of February this year in comparison to last year, the police said.
Pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 8 such persons having lost their lives at the end of February 2014. In addition 6 motor cyclists, 4 pedal cyclists, and 1 passenger of a motor vehicle also lost their lives.
