There has been a 94 per cent increase in the weekly murder figures, with 45 persons killed during the period spanning May 31 to June 6. This was 22 more than the 23 killed the week before, according to figures released by the Constabulary Communication Network on Monday.

The gun remained the most popular murder weapon and was used in 34 killings - a 74 per cent jump over the 19 gun killings that took place the week before - and 28 more than the six fatal stabbings.

One person died from chop wounds.

And while the gun figured prominently in woundings, leaving 38 injured, cops said they removed 18 illegal firearms from the streets for the week under review. A total of 533 rounds of ammunition were recovered and 18 persons charged with illegal possession of firearms, the CCN said.

Meanwhile, four persons were fatally shot by the police, and a gun was stolen from its owner last week.

There was a slight drop in the number of persons held for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act with 87 arrests being made in comparison to 91 the previous week.

The police also report that there were 14 sexual offences, 36 robberies and 26 cases of felonious wounding. There was also one case of arson, three fraud cases and three persons arrested and charged with praedial larceny.

Motorists got a reprieve last week as no vehicles were reported stolen, the CCN said.

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