Commissioner of Police, Major Antony Anderson has announced a 6 per cent reduction in major crimes since the start of 2022. This includes a 12.4 per cent reduction in shootings, a 21.3 per cent reduction in rapes as well as a 9.7 per cent reduction in robberies.

However, murders are up by 1.7 per cent, with gang conflicts accounting for 72 per cent of murders, interpersonal conflicts accounting for 14 per cent, while 7 per cent occurred in furtherance of criminal acts. Mob killings accounted for 1 per cent, and 6 per cent are still being determined.

This was revealed during a press conference held by the Jamaica Constabulary force earlier on.

Commissioner Anderson also posited that JCF, in partnership with other law enforcement partners, have seized 268 firearms and over 5,500 rounds of ammunition, this represents a 6% increase overall including a 30% increase in rifles seized when compared to the corresponding period of 2021.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Anderson alluded that lottery scamming continues to be a driving factor behind the nation’s most gruesome killings, a sentiment which was relayed last month by the National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang.

In addition, Major Anderson underscored that scamming is often used to fund criminal activities across the island.

As such, increased efforts have been made by lawmen to curb this criminal element.

“Apart from our operational activities, we have increased our collaboration with FID, Customs, MOCA, the JDF, and other local and international partners,” Major Anderson outlined.