Guyana records 99 murders up to end of November

As 2017 comes to an end, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has revealed that 99 murders were committed up to the end of November compared to 135 during the same period in 2016, a 27 per cent decrease.
Of the 99 murders, 48 were deemed disorderly while 16 were as a result of domestic issues; 14 stemmed from robberies; seven were execution style and 12 were as a result of unknown reasons. Two, however, the Police stated were categorised as ‘others’.
A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) topped the list with a whopping 35 murders followed by 24 in B Division (Berbice) and 20 in F Division (Lethem and Other Interior Locations). Ten of the 99 murders were committed in C Division (East Coast Demerara); seven in D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo); two in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) and one in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands).
However, the Police in their recent statistics revealed that they have recorded a 10 per cent reduction in serious crimes at the end of November 2017 when compared to the same period last year.
In addition to the 27 per cent decrease in murder, there was an 11 per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used; a 16 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where firearms were used and a five per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used.
In addition, the Police stated that robbery with violence dropped by 43 per cent, but there was an increase in robbery with aggravation by 47 per cent and an 11 per cent increase in larceny from the person.
Finally, the Police stated that there has been a six per cent decrease in rape; a 3 per cent decrease in burglary and a 16 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny.
With respect to gun seizures, the Force has confiscated 115 illegal firearms when compared to 97 for the corresponding period last year. Of these, 66 were pistols, 19 were revolvers, 18 were shotguns and 12 were rifles.
Again, A Division topped the list with 51 seizures; there were 28 guns seized in F Division; 13 in B Division, 10 in C Division and eight from D Division. Only five guns were seized from E Division.
Meanwhile, the Police revealed that up to the end of November 2017, 97 persons have lost their lives owing to accidents when compared to 115 for the corresponding period last year, a 16 per cent decrease. Of the 97 fatalities, only two were children. October was listed as the most deadly month on Guyana’s roadways.
Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol along with inattentiveness were the three main causes of the fatal accidents, followed by failure to confirm to signs and pedestrians crossing in the path of approaching vehicles.