JAMAICA continued to record reductions in major crimes this year, with the latest police statistics showing a 23.8 per cent decrease in murders between January 1 and February 18 compared to the same period in 2024.

The current figures come as the constabulary further strengthened its drive against criminal gangs with targeted operations that contributed significantly to a 13 per cent decrease in murders and a 10 per cent decline in shootings between January 1 and February 1 this year, compared to the same period last year.

The January 1 to February 18 data show a 12.3 per cent reduction in shootings and a 73.6 per cent decrease in rape.

In raw numbers, a total of 99 murders were recorded between January 1 and February 18, 2025 compared to 130 over the same period last year; shootings were 114 compared to 130; and rape was 19 compared to 72.

The parish data show that in St James six murders were reported, compared to 22 over the same period last year — a decrease of 72.7 per cent; there were 11 cases of shootings compared to 21, a 47.6 per cent reduction; while rape, which numbered nine in 2024, dropped to four, a 55.6 per cent decrease.

Trelawny recorded no murders for the period, compared to six last year; St Ann saw a 30 per cent decrease in murders (seven, compared to 10 for the same period last year); St Mary recorded four murders, compared to two, and four cases of shootings compared to two for the similar period last year.

Overall, the police Area One, which comprises St James, Westmoreland, Hanover, and Trelawny reported a 63.2 per cent drop in murders; 53.3 per cent decrease in shootings; 70.8 per cent decrease in rape; and a 50 per cent decrease in robberies.

However, overall in Area Two, which comprises St Ann, St Mary, and Portland, for the January 1 and February 18 period there were 14 murders, the same number over the same period last year, an increase in shooting incidents to 18, coming from nine, while rape remained at two for both periods.

Clarendon, St Elizabeth, and Manchester, which in recent years had become crime hot spots, all saw decreases in murder for a combined total of seven, compared to 17 for the January 1 to February 18 period.

At the same time, the police still have a problem with Area Four — St Andrew South, St Andrew Central, Kingston Western, Kingston Eastern, and Kingston Central — which is showing a combined total of 34 murders compared to 33 for the same period last year.

Additionally, Area Five — St Catherine North, St Catherine South, St Andrew North, and St Thomas — had a combined total of 30 murders, compared to 28 for the January 1 to February 18 period.

The current reduced crime numbers are being celebrated by the business and tourism communities as continued good news that will have a positive impact on investment, productivity, and the overall social environment of the country.

“This is good news and we must continue to support and encourage the police and soldiers for their hard work in getting a hold of this crime problem that has plagued us for too long,” one business owner, who opted for anonymity, told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday.