Reduction in reported serious crimes, police say

There has been a 17 per cent reduction in reported serious crimes during the period January 1, to April 14, when compared to the same period in 2017, said police public information officer acting ASP Michael Jackman.

Jackman said in 2017 the total number of serious crimes reported during the period stood at 3,773, as opposed to 3,125 in 2018.

He was yesterday speaking at the police press briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain.

“Reports of wounding and shootings decreased by 21 per cent with 155 reports being recorded for the mentioned period in 2018, compared to 196 for the same period in 2017. Burglary and breakings were also reduced, with a total of 645 reports being made in 12017 as compared to 473 reported cases in 2018. This change reflects a 27 per cent decrease.”

“Reports of offences such as rape, incest and other offences of a sexual nature were reduced by 21 per cent as 192 reports were reported for the period in 2017 when compared to 151 for the same period in 2018”

Jackman said there was also a 51 per cent drop in fraud offences with a total 199 reported cases in 2017 when compared to 98 reports for the same period of 2018.

He said reports for general larceny reduced by 15 per cent with a total of 583 reported cases in 2017 when compared to 496 in 2018.

“The offence of larceny dwelling house saw a reduction of 56 per cent as there was 82 reports made during the 2017 as compared to 36 in 2018. Reports of larceny motor vehicle were also reduces by 47 per cent with a total of 252 for 2017 as compared with 133 in 2018.”

However, Jackman said there was an increase detection of narcotics offences with 150 seizures in 2018 when compared to 142 in 2017.

He said the figure represented a six per cent increase in the detection rate in the current year.

“Possession of firearms and ammunition detections also saw an increase of six per cent, with 278 detections being made in 2017, and 294 in 2018.”