Some 223 murders were recorded across the island up to Saturday, March 16, according to the latest serious crimes report by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The parish of St James, the St Catherine Police Division, the St Andrew South Police Division and the parish of Westmoreland recorded the highest number of murders, with 30, 22, 20 and 20, respectively.

The murder figure represents a 11.5 per cent decline when compared to the same period last year, when a total of 252 murders were recorded.

Murders were recorded in all parishes.

Injury, rape, robbery and break-in are trending downward when compared to last year.

However, there has been a 1.4 per cent increase in shooting (213), when compared to the same period last year (210).