[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Police Force says it has recorded a 7 percent drop in serious crimes for the period January 01 to June 30, 2014, when compared with the corresponding period in 2013.
The total number of reports of serious crimes made between the January 1 and June 30, 2014, was 1,827 compared to 1,960 for the same period in 2013.
According to statistics released by the Police, the serious crimes are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
There was a 13% increase in murders with 69 murders recorded at the end of June 2014 in comparison to 61 murders for the same period in 2013.
Meanwhile, up to July 21, a total of 79 murders were recorded in comparison to 67 for the same period in 2013, another increase of 18%.
At the end of June 2014 robbery under arms increased by 22%, with 577 reports compared to 472 for the same period in 2013, which shows an increase of 33% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 4% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
The Force has also highlighted a number of measures that can be taken by citizens to avoid being easy targets for criminals which includes keeping the telephone numbers of the nearest police station where it could be easily accessed and to call the police and/or members of your Community Policing Group and inform them of the presence of suspicious-looking vehicles and persons.
Additionally, persons are being urged to ensure their gates, doors, and windows are properly secured before leaving their premises or retiring to bed and to also ensure someone is left to overlook their premises if you are leaving for a long stay, such as a holiday.
“Walk in groups, avoid lonely and not-well-lighted places, and beware of suspicious-looking persons on pedal and motor cycles, Instead of walking home, utilize taxis or other vehicular arrangements when leaving night clubs.”
The Force noted that “public security is a shared responsibility and is encouraging the public to continue partnering with it in order to strengthen the safety and security of all.”
