MURDERS have increased by nine per cent between January and April this year, when compared to the same period last year, according to a police report.

The police said a total of 489 murders have been reported this year, in comparison to 444 for the same period last year.

Police statistics also showed that 10 women and seven children have been murdered since January 1, this year.

However, although the police reported an increase in murders between January and April, the month of April itself had 121 murders, a dip of six per cent when compared to last year April, police statistics showed.

The gun, the police said, has remained the weapon of choice and was used in 70 per cent or 85 of the murders recorded last month.

In the meantime, the police reported that 115 people have been shot and injured since the start of the year, while 55 women were raped, 25 children carnally abused and 135 robberies reported.

The constabulary’s statistics also showed that since January the police fatally shot 25 persons, while one person was killed by a Jamaica Defence Force soldier.

Forty-six illegal guns have also been seized this year, the police said.