Two hundred and seventy-two Jamaicans were murdered across the island up to Sunday, March 31, according to the latest crime statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

This represents a 12.3 per cent decline in murders when compared to the same period last year.

The parish of St James, Westmorland, the St Catherine South Police Division and the St Andrew South Police Division recorded the highest number of murders with 39, 25, 24 and 22, respectively.

There has been a 2.7 per cent increase in shooting when compared to the same period last year.

Rape, robbery and break-in continue to decline.