KINGSTON, Jamaica – The island has recorded 534 murders as at May 14.

This represents a 4.1 per cent increase when compared to the 513 murders recorded this time last year.

The information is contained in the latest Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Periodic Crime Statistics Review, which covers the period January 1 to May 14.

The St James Police Division leads the murder count nationally with 92 cases, a 50.8 per cent increase compared to the 61 homicides reported in the division up to May 14 last year.

The Westmoreland Police Division is second on the list, with 56 murders since the start of the year, while St Catherine North is third after 48 murders were recorded there.

St Andrew South is fourth with 41 murders, though, ironically, that figure represents a 43.1 per cent decrease in homicides when compared to the 72 cases reported last year.

However, St Mary had the highest percentage increase in murders, with an 500 per cent rise. There were 18 murders committed in the parish up to May 14, compared with three for the corresponding period in 2021.

The Kingston Central Police Division, where a Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) is under effect in Parade Gardens, saw a decrease in murders of 44.4 per cent for the reporting period.

There were 15 murders up to last Saturday, compared to 27 last year.

Portland is the least murderous parish in 2022, having recorded four murders over the period.

Regarding the other areas of crime, the JCF data shows that there has been fewer cases of shootings, with a decrease of 56.

So far this year, between January 1 and May 14, there have been 418 shootings, in comparison to the 474 over the same period last year.

There were 153 cases of rapes over the period under review, compared to 183 for the same period last year, which represented a decrease of 16.4 per cent.

Some 334 robberies were recorded up to May 14 this year, down from the 347 observed in the corresponding period last year, representing a reduction of 13 cases or 3.7 per cent.

Break-ins, however, saw a 6.8 per cent increase with 359 incidents this year compared to 336 in 2021.

Overall, the JCF said the total number of serious and violent crimes committed so far this year has declined by 3.0 per cent.

A total of 1,798 serious and violent crimes were reported to May 14, when compared to 1,853 incidents reported last year, representing a difference of 55 cases.