Murders down in 2012, but serious crime still high

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National Security Minister Jack Warner on Tuesday released crime statistics that show an overall decrease in serious crimes, especially murders in the period from 2008 to the end of 2012. 

In that period there were 2,256 murders. However the data shows a decreasing trend from a high of 547 in 2008 to a low of 377 in 2012. While the number is slightly higher for 2012, it must be seen in the context of the 2011 state of emergency and curfew. Fraud and Narcotics offences were also down.

However, there has been a big increase in Sexual Offences (an increase of almost one a day over the 2011 figure) and kidnappings, which reach an all time high of 180 during the four year period.

Taken together, 2012 saw an overall increase in serious crimes over 2011, when a curfew was in force for a significant part of the second half. 

However the figures show a decrease over the 2008, 2009 and 2010. The People's partnership government took office on May 26, 2010, two days after its landslide victory in the general election.