Crime overall has increased 7 percent in the first seven months of 2010 with murders, housebreaking, stolen vehicles and attempted robberies recording significant increases.
According to the latest police crime statistics, overall crime was up seven percent for the first quarter of 2010, compared to the first quarter a year earlier.
Fifty-four murders were recorded between January 1 and July 31, 2010, compared to the 47 recorded in the first seven months of 2009 – an increase of 15 percent.
To date, the murder, count for 2010 stands at 61.
Eight attempted murders were recorded between January and July this year; compared to two in the same period last year.
There was one manslaughter case recorded this year, unchanged from what was recorded during the same period in 2009. While armed robberies remain a major concern, the report shows that there were five percent fewer armed robberies – from 477 in 2009 to 454 in 2010.
Robberies were down 10 percent – from 191 to 172.
Crimes against property were up nine percent with housebreaking up 21 percent. 1,693 cases of housebreaking were recorded in the period, compared to 1,404 last year.
