Police report decrease in crime for 2007
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - DESPITE the overwhelming inundation of the media with reports of criminal activity, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is reporting an almost 10 percent decrease in reported crime for 2007 over that of the previous year.
The Police Force recently issued comparative statistics for 2003-2007 in which reported crime decreased by 9.04 percent.
In 2006 there were 2036 reported criminal acts in the Federation compared to 1852 in 2007. Of the 2036 reported in 2006, 270 took place in Nevis while the remaining 1766 occurred in St. Kitts.
Two hundred and eighty-four of the 1852 criminal acts reported in 2007 were committed in Nevis while the remaining 1568 were in St. Kitts.
While an overall decrease was observed, there were increases in a number of offences including “wounding with intent”, “actual bodily harm”, “shooting at with intent”, “unlawful carnal knowledge”, “robbery”, “house breaking and larceny” and “possession of firearms”.
“Wounding with intent” increased by 11.11 percent from 144 in 2006 to 162 last year while “shooting at with intent” increased by 41.7 percent from seven to 12. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Unlawful carnal knowledge” increased by 47.62 percent, “robbery” by 36.97 percent, “house breaking and larceny” by 5.08 percent, “possession of firearms” by 30 percent, “possession of ammunition” by 38.46 while “escaping lawful custody” also increased by a staggering 80 percent.
Decreases were noted however in relation to a number of offences including “murder”, “incest”, “assault with intent to rob”, “house breaking with intent”, “burglary”, “larceny”, “malicious damage to property”, “arson” and “possession of controlled drugs”.
A slight decrease, 5.88 percent, was noted in the murder figure which stood at 17 in 2006 and 16 in 2007. Rape decreased by 30 percent, “house breaking with intent by 42.45 percent from 106 in 2006 to 61 last year, “larceny” by 18.6 percent and “malicious damage to property” decreased by 29.44 percent from 231 in 2006 to 163 last year.
Incidents of “attempted murder”, “grievous bodily harm”, “sacrilege” and “false pretenses” were stationary.
