Jamaica has recorded on average, 22 murders per week, so far this year. That’s compared to an average of 27 murders each week in the similar period last year.

The figures were published in the latest serious crime statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The JCF noted that the country recorded 1,114 murders up to Saturday, December 14, compared to 1,352 in the corresponding period in 2023.     

That’s 238 fewer murders or a decline of 17.6%.

Kingston Central is the police division with the most significant reduction in murders at 40%. Twenty-four people have been killed in the division this year, compared to 40 last year.

Manchester, St. Andrew Central and St. Andrew North are the only divisions seeing increases in their murder tallies.

Meantime, shootings are down by 9.7%, rape cases have decreased by 25.6% and robberies declined by 20.3%.