Grenada police confirm a slight increase in crime
Grenada police said there had been a slight increase in the number of violent crimes in Grenada during the first four months of this year compared to last year.
However, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) said there appears to be a reduction in May.
“According to our quarterly report at March 2023, there was an 8.4 per cent increase in crimes,” said Ryan Hall, Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, noting, however, that by the end of May “there has been a reduction by almost two per cent”.
Sharing data on areas experiencing a growth in crime, Hall told a news conference that there had been a 1.4 per cent increase in harm offences and 6.6 per cent in assault offences.
At present, we have recorded 12 homicides of which…two are unsolved and continue to be vigorously investigated,” he said, reminding the population that the police are still searching for one person wanted who is a prime suspect in a murder case.
Police said property crimes posed the most significant challenge for them in terms of detection, and Hall disclosed that during the first quarter, there was a 21 per cent increase in property crimes. He called on homeowners to take measures to reduce their risk of becoming victims of property crimes.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vannie Curwen said that violent crimes are committed mainly by young people.
“However, our fortune has become a little better as we approach May of 2023 when we start seeing a 20 per cent contraction of the first quarter of 2023,” he said.
“Our murder rate for this year has already surpassed our 2022 figures, and we are still five months out to the end of the year. Gun-reported crimes are also showing their ugly heads across the country, forcing us to respond in ways we have not before,” Curwen said while praising citizens for helping police solve crimes.
“Comforting to us, though, is the fact that we have had overwhelming cooperation from the public, which has allowed us to confiscate several illegal firearms making our streets safer for the enjoyment of all,” he said.
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