Murders have declined by 16.8 per cent compared to last year.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 825 people were murdered in the country, up to Saturday September 14.

This is 167 fewer than the 992 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

St. James saw the highest number of murders with 99, followed by Westmoreland with 74.

Meantime, cases of rape, robberies and break-ins are also trending downward.

Rape cases are down by 110, from 346 to 236.

As for robberies, 106 fewer cases were recorded.

Break-ins went down by 47.