Almost 900 people were murdered across the island up to Saturday, August 26.

According to the latest crime statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force the murder tally stood at 899.

The number of murders represents a 10.8 per cent decline when compared to the total of 1,008 for a similar period last year.

All divisions recorded murders with St. James leading with 131, followed by St. Andrew South and Westmoreland with 79 each.

Meanwhile, there were declines in rapes, robberies and break-ins.

Cases of rape had a 20.4 per cent reduction.

Robberies went down by 139, from 612 to 473, while break-ins decreased by 81, from 666 to 585.