Jamaica continues to see a decline in murders this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

According to data from the Constabulary Force, as at March 31,  272 people were murdered in comparison to the 310 in the corresponding period last year.

This is 38 fewer than last year.

St James recorded the highest number of murders with 39 followed by Westmoreland with 25 and St Andrew South with 24.

Meantime, the JCF says cases of rape, robberies and break-ins have also decreased since the start of the year.

Rapes decreased from 115 to 71, robberies decreased from 172 to 171 and break-ins went down from 243 to 201.

In the meantime ,  shootings continue to increase.

There were 260 shooting incidents last year, in comparison to the 267 recorded in the corresponding period this year.