Jamaica has seen a 20.8 per cent reduction in murders between the period of January 1 to March 5, 2023, compared to last year.

According to a recent serious crimes report published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the island recorded 210 murders up to the period of March 5, 2023. This is 55 fewer murders compared to last year in which the country recorded 265 murders.

From the JCF statistics, the police division of St James accounted for the highest number of murders for the month with 28. This is followed by Kingston Western police division with 22, Clarendon with 19, St Catherine South with 18 and Westmoreland with 16.

The St Catherine North police division recorded 14 murders, followed closely by St Ann (13), St Andrew South (12), Manchester (11) and Hanover (10).

Meanwhile, St Andrew Central (8), St Andrew North (7), St Thomas (7), St Mary (4), St Elizabeth (3), Trelawny (1) and Portland (1) recorded the least number of homicides for the period.

The report also revealed that there was a reduction in shootings, rape, robbery, and burglary for the month.