Police releases crime statistics as of August 31, 2011

 

Georgetown : The statistics in relation to the offences of murder and robbery under arms, as well as traffic, for the period January 01 to August 31, 2011, with corresponding statistics for the same period last year were being released by the Guyana Police Force this afternoon.

There has been an increase of 3% in murders with figures of 88 for the same period last year and 91 at the end of August this year.  31 of the murders committed this year have been of the disorderly type, while 18 were domestic related, 17 during armed robberies and 5 execution type.

Robbery under arms has increased by 12% with 548 reports up to August 31 this year in comparison to 488 for the same period last year.  While the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms is almost similar, there has been 48% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

In relation to traffic, there have been 4 more road fatalities up to the end of August this year in comparison to the same period last year, with 79 this year and 75 last year.  8 children have lost their lives so far this year due to traffic accidents, compared to 5 last year.

Pedestrians and pedal cyclists are the two main categories of road users affected with 31 persons and 16 persons, respectively, losing their lives.  Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol are the major causes of the fatal accidents.