KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is this morning reporting an overall 10 per cent reduction in most categories of serious and violent crimes for the period January 1 to June 4, 2016.

Data from the Statistics and Information Management Unit of the JCF indicate that there was an overall two per cent reduction in murders when compared to the same period last year, while there was a 29 per cent reduction in rape and a 27 per cent reduction in aggravated assault. Shootings, however, saw a six per cent increase, the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) said in a release.

Divisions in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine accounted for the greatest reduction in murders, with an overall 19 per cent reduction with the exception of the St Andrew Central Division that recorded a four per cent increase in murders or one more than the same period last year.

The St James Division continues to record a high rate of murders with a total of 103 murders compared to 81 recorded for the same period last year or a 27 per cent increase, the release outlined. However, all other categories of serious and violent crimes have seen a three per cent reduction in that parish.

Notably, robberies, break-ins and larceny all recorded significant double-digit reductions across all divisions when compared to the same period last year. Robberies are down by 30 per cent, break-ins down by 38 per cent, while larceny is down by 52 per cent, the police noted.