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

According to the latest crime data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 628 murders were recorded as at yesterday June 24, 94 fewer than the 722 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

All divisions recorded murders, with St. James leading the tally at 97, followed by Westmoreland with 57.

States of Emergency -were recently declared for both parishes.

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

Cases of rape declined by 70 from 252 to 182.

Robberies went down by 112, from 463 to 351, while break-ins decreased by 58, from 502 to 444.