Murders continued their downward slide last month dropping to 25 per cent, a further two per cent from the previous month, the police reported yesterday.

In addition, the monthly crime statistics showed that shootings dropped by 35 per cent to end the month at 284, compared to 436 for the same month last year.

According to the police data released yesterday, 99 murders were recorded last month, compared to the 154 reported in March 2005.

Murders for the first quarter totalled 313, compared with 419 over the same period last year. However, of the 313 murders committed so far this year, the police said they were unable to give a motive for 196 or 62 per cent. Eight of the murders, the police said, were drug-related; three were gang-related; eight were classified as domestic; while 99 were categorised as 'other criminal act'.

Last night, Deputy Commissioner of Police Charles Scarlett said a number of factors were responsible for the decline in murders.

"We've adopted a more structured approach to investigations, intelligence gathering and targetting suspects," Scarlett said.

He said the fact that the police were now able to build successful cases against suspects had generated confidence in witnesses and, by extension, has resulted in greater co-operation from the public.

"We're getting more information from the public now," said Scarlett, "and with more public support we believe this performance in the reduction of murders is sustainable."

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