The Guyana Police Force yesterday reported that it has recorded a 9% decrease in serious crimes for the year as at June 30th, compared with the same period for last year.
A statement from the Guyana Police Force noted a 25% decrease in murders, with 44 for the period under review, compared to 59 for the same period last year.
Almost half of the murders committed this year have been categorised as disorderly (20), while the remainder were categorised as domestic (12), robbery (8) and unknown (4).
In addition to murder, serious crimes include the various categories of robbery, rape, kidnapping, break and enter and larceny, burglary, and larceny from the person.
Based on the statistics provided by the police, increases were only recorded in robberies where no instruments were used, which rose from 26 to 28 reports, reflecting an 8% increase; armed robberies where firearms were used, which rose from 298 to 304 reports, reflecting a 2% increase; and rape, which rose from 129 to 140 reports for an increase of 9%.
The force also noted a 28% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used; a 5% decrease in robbery with violence; a 21% decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 30% decrease in larceny from the person; and a 10% decrease in break and enter and larceny.
The police also reported the seizure of 67 illegal firearms for the review period, compared with 69 for the corresponding period last year.
