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Almost four murders a day so far this month

Published:Thursday | September 13, 2018 | 12:00 AM

Thirty-two persons were murdered across the island over the first eight days of this month, police statistics have revealed.

At the same time, the latest Periodic Crime Statistics Review compiled by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) show that 99 murders were recorded in the 19 police divisions nationwide last month.

This marks the second time this year that murders dipped below 100 for a single month. The police recorded 84 murders in June.

Overall, the JCF data show that up to last Saturday, a total of 902 persons had been murdered across the island this year. This is 219, or 19.5 per cent, fewer than the 1,121 murders recorded over the corresponding period last year.

The data revealed, too, that murders were up in just six of the 19 police divisions. They are Portland, up 66 per cent; Kingston Eastern, up 32 per cent; St Thomas, up 31 per cent; St Mary, up 29 per cent; St Andrew Central, up 22 per cent; and Trelawny, up 18 per cent.

St James, which recorded a record 335 murders last year, continues to account for the biggest decline this year. According to the JCF data, 68 killings were recorded in the parish up to last weekend, 139, or 67 per cent, fewer than the similar period last year.