Murders in the country since the start of the year are down by some 13.35%.

According to the latest crime data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 597 murders were recorded up to friday june 16 —- that is 92 fewer than the 689 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

While most parishes saw decreases in murders, Clarendon, Manchester, Portland, St. Ann and Hanover are seeing increases.

St. Ann recorded the largest percentage increase in murders up from 21 last year to 36 so far this year a 71.4 per cent increase.

Hanover follows with a 55% increase, up from 20 murders last year, to 31 so far this year.

Clarendon has the third biggest increase in murders with a 52.9% increase in its tally, up from 34 murders last year to 52 as at June 16 2023.

Two people were killed in separate incidents in st. Ann and St. Andrew early Sunday morning.

In the latter incident in St. Ann, at around 12: 30 A.M., 41-year-old businessman Andrew Dawkins, was shot and killed on gully road in st. Ann’s bay.

His licensed firearm – 9 MM Glock Pistol was stolen during the incident.

Meantime, minutes earlier, at around 12:07 A.M., an unidentified male was shot and killed, along the gully bank in Seaview Gardens, St. Andrew.

The Hunts Bay criminal investigations branch is investigating.