Murders rose by 64 per cent last week in comparison to the seven-day period spanning June 14-20, according to the statistics released by the office of the police commissioner.

Forty-two persons were murdered last week while 27 were killed the previous week.

Listed among those murdered are:

. Kenisha Linton, an exotic dancer of Race Course Lane who was shot by one of four men along Spanish Town Road in Kingston last Sunday;

. George Bennett, 64, who was shot dead as he tried to help a shopkeeper who was being robbed in the York Town area of Clarendon on Saturday; and

. Ena Grant, 56, who was killed as she worshipped in church in the Land Lease squatter settlement in St Andrew.

Apart from the 42 murders, 44 other persons were shot and injured, the police report.

The gun was again the weapon of choice, used to snuff out 30 lives over the period spanning June 21-27 this year. Three persons were stabbed to death while two others died of machete wounds.

Lawmen were responsible for the fatal shooting of 29 year-old Dwayne Powell of Top Hill, St Elizabeth, who cops said was shot and killed on Wednesday after he attacked an officer with a machete.

Twelve illegal guns were taken off the streets, while one licensed firearm was stolen.

For the second week running, the cops say no vehicles were reported stolen. But there were 38 reports of robbery and seven cases of fraud over the last week.

The police also say 78 persons were held for breaches of the dangerous drugs act, a total of 29 less than the week ending June 20.