JAMAICANS, who once adopted a see-no-evil stance to crime, have changed their tune, according to figures released by the National Crime Prevention Fund (NCPF).

The NCPF said calls to the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Crime Stop centre increased by 36 per cent in 2006, jumping from 501 calls in 2005 to 683.

Forty-three arrests were made as a result of calls to Crime Stop last year, the NCPF reported. Nine persons were held for murders, five more than in the previous year.

Significantly, 611 of calls to the police hotline were listed as 'first', which means they were giving new information. Also, there was a major jump in calls after the police launched its 311 number in late July.

Gun-related reports

The majority (51 per cent) of calls concerned illegal firearms, gunmen and wanted men. The remainder of reports ranged from location of dead bodies to rape and threats.

The NCPF noted that the Crime Stop link accounted for an illegal DVD network, with 555 bootleg products confiscated by police.

As for stolen property, 21 motor cars were recovered last year compared to 12 in 2005. Twenty-eight firearms were recovered, five more than in 2005.

The narcotics police also had success last year, seizing $7.6 million worth of illegal drugs. The ganja trade got the biggest beating with approximately 306.65 kilograms of the weed seized.