Murders hit five-year high

Murders are at a five-year high, according to Derrick Smith, the opposition spokesman on national security.

Smith, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, said that Jamaica is currently experiencing a spiralling crime situation.

"Up to yesterday (Monday), 476 persons were murdered, a 15 per cent more than (the same period) last year," he said.

"In fact, year to date, it is the highest it has been over the last five years," Smith said.

The Government has not been releasing crime statistics, a situation that existed in the past when murder crimes were trending down.

One thousand and five murders were recorded in 2014, compared to 1,200 in the previous year, representing a 16 per cent reduction.