Crime stats reveal an increase in major crimes 

SKN PULSE – Eight weeks into 2017, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force have finally made the 2016 crime statistics available for viewing. 

The authorities are still grappling with a high number of murders and shootings.

There were 1643 reported cases in the major crime category for 2016. The major crime category covers incidences of murders, break-ins, drugs, larcenies, robbery, firearm and wounding . 

Of the 1643 reported cases only 568 have been detected. That represents a 35% detection rate which is down 2% from 2015.
In a recent press briefing, Queeley opined that even with the recent decrease, there was an overall increase in the number of criminal cases.  
With this new development, murders have increased by 10.7% when compared to 2015 and shooting incidents has increased by 160% when compared to 2015.
Over the same period, break-ins and larcenies has also increased significantly. Thus accounting for the bulk of the major crime activities. 
On the other hand armed robberies are down by 12.3%. So far for 2017 homicides are down when compared to the same period last year. In 2016 there were 4 more murders (6) when compared to 2017.
According to Queeley in a recent statement, 2017 will see the continued embrace of New Technology and the rollout of the enhanced CCTV system.