Economic slowdown contributing to increase in crime – iNews Poll
[www.inewsguyana.com] – An online poll conducted by iNews Guyana shows that people are of the view that the economic slowdown has contributed to the current spate of crimes that has grappled Guyana.
The poll asked persons whether they “think that the slowdown in the economy is contributing to the increase in criminal activities?”
More than half – 60.1% – of the respondents replied in the affirmative while a meagre 35.6% of them responded in the negative. Another 4.2% of persons stated that they were undecided as to whether the two factors are linked.
At the end of June 2015, the Guyana Police Force recorded a 9% increase in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2014, according to statistics released by the Force on July 11.
Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
According to the statistics, a total of 79 murders were recorded at the end of June 2015 in comparison to 69 murders at the end of June 2014, which is an increase of 14%.
Meanwhile, some members of the private sector and politicians have complained that Guyana is headed for a recession; these statements were however dismissed by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin.