One hundred and twenty three more Jamaicans have been murdered up to the end of August, when compared to the same period last year, according to the latest police statistics provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

In what is shaping up to be another murderous year, 968 persons had been killed up to August 31.

This figure represented a 33 per cent increase when compared to the figure - 845 - provided at the end of August 2006.

The month of August has been the third bloodiest - with 125 killed - behind July at 135, and January at 149.

However, the crime statistics have not yet taken into account the month of September, which has already seen several reports of killings just prior to and after the general election.

Double murders

This is a continuation of the trend in August which saw the dramatic jump of reported double murders from four in August last year, to eight this year, and at least one 'group' murder. The murder of four persons, which occurred in Georges Valley, Manchester, in August, had political overtones, though the police did not label it or any murders within the month so motivated.

August 27 was the initial date for the general election before its postponement due to the passage of Hurricane Dean. The month was the scene of heavy political campaigning, with several deaths linked to the poll by both the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party.

Reports of such murders have come in from across Jamaica and not only the hot beds of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. James.

The gun continued to be the favoured weapon as shootings-figured prominently in the statistics. The gun was used in 93 reported incidents, and there was a 31 per cent increase in shootings, as 138 reports were given to the police as opposed to 105 in the corresponding period last year.

The police in St. Ann were kept busy on the weekend carrying out investigations into no less than three murders, which took place between Saturday afternoon and Sunday night.