At end of October: 119 murders, 113 road deaths

At the end of October 2014 the Guyana Police Force recorded an 11% drop in serious crimes when the period January 01 to October 31, 2014, is compared with the corresponding period in 2013 but murders and armed robberies were up.

A police statement today said that a total of 119 murders were recorded at the end of October 2014 in comparison to 111 murders for the same period in 2013, an increase of 7%.

At the end of October 2014, the statement said that robbery under arms overall had increased by 8% in comparison to the same period in 2013. The statistics indicate an increase of 13% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 1% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

In relation to traffic, 113 road fatalities from 104 accidents have been recorded at the end of October 2014 in comparison to 85 fatalities from 79 accidents for the same period in 2013; a 33% increase in fatalities.

To date, nine persons have lost their lives from nine fatal accidents during this month November 2014.

“The Guyana Police Force continues to be extremely concerned at this loss of lives, serious injuries and economic and social impact resulting from road accidents for which the major contributory factors have been speeding, drunk driving and inconsiderate use of the roads”, the statement added.