THERE HAS been a reduction in major crimes committed across the island since the start of the year, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes reported yesterday. Forty-two persons have been killed violently up to Sunday.
"Last year at this time, we had 52 murders in 19 days, the only major crime that has not decreased is rape," the Commissioner said. Up to January 16, there were 30 reported rape cases; the previous year it was 31 and 23 in 2001.
Since January, gun-related murders have also decreased as up to yesterday it was 52, the lowest in comparison with the corresponding periods over the last three years. The police said they have also seized 32 illegal guns since January, an increase of 19, when compared with the corresponding figure last year. Commissioner Forbes also stressed that for the corresponding period last year, 247 persons were arrested in connection with various crimes, and so far this year the police have arrested 752 persons.
He said there is also a reduction in the number of females killed this year. At this time last year it was 11; up to yesterday the figure stood at four.
Since the new anti-crime initiative, the police said they have made several dents in the wave of lawlessness. The Commissioner added: "These are only dents and much hard work still remains to be done. However, although the bulk of our work lies in our crime-fighting efforts, much of our success will rely on our ability to effectively police the various communities."
