Rape and carnal abuse cases doubled in September when compared with the corresponding month last year, according to the latest review from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Rape cases increased from the reported figure of 32 in September 2007 to 64 this year, while carnal abuse cases increased by nine over last year's 12.

Sex crimes alone account for 827 of the more than 5,000 major crimes reported since the start of the year. Rape accounts for more than half (536) of the sex crimes reported to date. There were 485 incidents of rape up to September 2007.

Meanwhile, the number of children reported missing continues to rise. The latest victim is a 14-year-old girl who was abducted from her home at Martello Drive in Harbour View, eastern Kingston, last Friday.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network, Jhaneel Goulbourne was standing outside her gate with a friend when a white Toyota bus drove up. An armed man alighted and ordered her into the vehicle.

Policeman detained

The teenager has not been seen since. The Gleaner understands that a policeman has been taken into custody in relation to the incident.

Recently, the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse warned commuters, especially females, to take precautionary measures when commuting in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew.

A number of commuters have been kidnapped and raped by taxi operators travelling from that area.

Murder against women has spiked by 30 per cent this year. Crime chief Mark Shields suggested that unlicensed taxi operators are responsible for some of the major crimes against women and children.