More than 40 people have been murdered in the country since the start of the year.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 43 homicides were recorded as at Saturday, January 18.

There were 44 murders up to this point last year.

St. Catherine South had the highest number of murders with 9, followed by St. Andrew South with 8.

5 police divisions have not yet recorded a murder.

They are Kingston Central, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Portland and Trelawny.

The JCF is also reporting a decline in cases of rape, robberies and break-ins.

Rapes declined by 21, from 27 to 6, robberies went down by 15, from 37 to 22, while break-ins decreased by 4, from 48 to 44.