Serious crime up 6% over 2014 figures

The Guyana Police Force has reported an increase of 6% in serious crime over the figures reported for the corresponding period in 2014.

According to a press release from the Guyana Police Force, serious crime includes murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery (under arms, with aggravation and with violence), break and enter and larceny, burglary and larceny from person.

The total number of murders up to May 18 was 60, which is four more than the corresponding period last year.

There has been a reduction in robbery under arms by 15%, the police said, compared to 2014 figures with an 18% reduction in the use of firearms during the commission of robbery and the use of other weapons apart from firearms have reduced by 11%.

Rape has increased by 70% while burglary reduced by 11% over the same period last year.

As at May 20, there were 41 road fatalities resulting from 32 accidents whereas a total of 43 persons died from 40 road accidents in the same period last year.

To date, the police are continuing investigations into the murders of Ramesh Puran who was killed on May 14 during an armed robbery and Sean Anyes killed under similar circumstances on May 1.