Rapes up by 19%
…serious crimes climb by 10% – Police
After months of reporting overwhelming increases in the number of rapes across the country, the
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum
Guyana Police Force (GPF) has now stated that it has been releasing incorrect figures, revealing for the year up to the end of September there has been a 19 per cent increase. In its monthly statistic report, the Police issued an apology for the “incorrect statistics” that were published on rape. It was previously reported that up to June, there was a 74 per cent increase with 207 reports, while at the end of July, a 68 per cent increase was recorded with 243 reports of rape. By the end of August, the Police reported 164 cases of rape representing a 65 per cent increase. “Following advice received from the Police Legal Adviser, it was recognised that there was a recent flaw in the recording process for the offence of rape,” the Police stated in a summary report of last month’s statistics. The Police have since adjusted the figures and outlined an increase of 19 per cent in the number of reports of rape, with some 224 reports recorded at the end of September this year compared to 188 for the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Police have reported a 10 per cent hike in the number of serious crimes recorded at the end of September when compared to the figures for the same period in 2014. 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.
Murders As it relates to murder, the Police said a total of 114 cases were recorded at the end of September, in comparison to 109 murders during the same period in 2014. This represents an increase of five per cent. However, as of October 12, three additional murders were recorded. A Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) saw the highest toll during this time, accounting for 41 of the 114 cases. Additionally, it was reported that 45 of these murders were disorderly; 21 were committed during robberies; 13, domestic-related; 26 of unknown nature and one case was filed under the “Other” category. On the other hand, the overall robbery under arms figures increased by three per cent, with 896 cases recorded for the year up to September 30, compared to 874 cases recorded during the same period last year. According to the Police, robberies involving the use of firearms saw a four per cent increase, while there was a one per cent hike recorded in the number of armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. As it relates to Break and Enter and Larceny and Burglary, an overall increase of 14 per cent was recorded by the Police in comparison with the figures obtained from the same period in 2014. Further, the Police have reported that at the end of September, a total of 89 illegal firearms were recovered. These include one sub-machine gun, 47 pistols, 24 revolvers, 10 shotguns, six rifles and one pen-gun. These figures are compared to a total of 60 illegal firearms that were recovered up to this time last year.
Traffic statistics As it relates to the traffic statistics, the Police Force has disclosed a total of 90 road fatalities from some 76 accidents have been recorded at the end of September, in comparison to 101 fatalities from 93 accidents for the same period last year. This represents a decrease of 18 per cent. They also reported decreases in the serious and minor categories of road accidents, and a six per cent increase in damage accidents.