A total of 173 Jamaicans have been murdered islandwide up to Saturday, March 2, according to the latest Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) crime report.

This represents a 14.3 per cent decline in murders compared to the same period last year, when 203 murders were recorded.

The parish of St James, the St Andrew South Police Division, the St Catherine South Police Division and St Catherine North Police Division recorded the highest number of murders: 26, 17, 15 and 12, respectively.

Murders were recorded in all parishes.

The JCF is reporting a decline in rape, robbery and break-ins.

Meanwhile, there has been a 7.7 per cent increase in shootings when compared to the same period last year. There has also been an increase in persons injured during the period with 155, moving from 130.