– murders skyrocket 36%
The murder rate has shot up by 36% this year compared with the same period last year, a figure inflated by the mass killings at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said yesterday.
Persaud, presenting crime statistics for the year, reported a 9% increase in serious crimes, with murder leading the way. There were 2,395 serious crimes this year, compared with 2,203 last year.
Figures show that from January 1 to October 31, 2008, there were 135 murders, while for the corresponding period last year there were 99, an increase on 36%. The 2008 figure includes the death toll of 31, from the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek bloodbaths.
Forty of the murders recorded this year were carried out execution-style; 10 occurred during robberies; 21 were of a domestic nature; 40 occurred as a result of disorderly conduct; 21 are unknown; and three of the cases occurred under unknown circumstances.
‘E&F’ Division had the highest number of execution-style killings with 20, including the Bartica and Lindo Creek killings; followed by ‘C’ Division with 13, including the Lusignan massacre. ‘E&F’ Division has the highest murder rate overall.
Persaud also reported a 33% increase in armed robberies, with 252 cases for this year compared to 189 last year. Robbery involving the use of firearms was also prevalent during this year, up from 580 to 700, a 21% increase.
Persaud did, however, report a decrease in rapes, with 50 cases this year, compared with 70 last year, representing a 28% decrease. Burglaries were also down, with 52 this year, compared with 87 for 2007, a 40% decrease.
There has also been a decrease in the number of firearms seized this year. According to Persaud, 126 were seized so far as compared to 130 last year, with ‘A’ Division taking in 54 firearms, and ‘E&F’ Division, 35.
The Crime Chief stated that the force continues to face numerous challenges. These include gangs; the influx of tourists; organised crime-drug and firearm trafficking; illegal firearms in society, including missing army AK-47s; the expansion of economic activity in the interior; and the increase of economic and social activities, particularly in the city. However, Persaud said strategies such as training, intelligence-gathering, investigations, collaboration and intelligence-led operations will be used to tackle the challenges.
