Jamaica has seen a 19.3 per cent reduction in murders between the period of January 1 to April 23, 2023, compared to last year.

According to a recent serious crimes report published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the island recorded 388 murders up to the period of April 23, 2023. This is 76 fewer murders compared to last year in which the country recorded 265 murders.

From the JCF statistics, the police division of St James accounted for the highest number of murders for the month with 52. This is followed by Clarendon with 37, Westmoreland with 35, Kingston Western with 30 and St Catherine South with 28.

The St Andrew South police division recorded 27 murders, followed closely by St Catherine North (26), St Ann (21), Kingston Eastern (20) and Manchester (19).

Meanwhile, Hanover (18), St Andrew North (16), St Andrew Central (14), Kingston Central (12), St Mary (11), St Thomas (9), St Elizabeth (6), Trelawny (4) and Portland (3) recorded the least number of homicides for the period.

The report also revealed a sharp reduction in shootings, rape, robbery, and burglary for the period.