Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported this morning that serious crimes in Guyana are down by 19% with 108 murders recorded so far for 2022, which he said represents the lowest level in 10 years.

Speaking during the launch of the Christmas Policing Plan 2022 at the Police Officers’ Mess, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police explained that there were 331 less serious crimes recorded between January 1 and November 13, 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021.

The number of murders, incidents of rape and robberies declined in 2022, the Crime Chief said while noting that there was no reported case of kidnapping for 2022 or 2021.

Zooming in on murders recorded over a 10-year period, 2013-2022, he said 2022 has recorded the lowest thus far.   

“The data confirms that there was a fluctuation in the trends with a peak in 2020 with 157 murders recorded in that year. However, there was a steady decline in the number of murders,” he reported.  

It was noted that during a five-year period – 2018-2022 – disorderly and domestic murders accounted for more than half of the murders that took place.

“It can be clearly observed that over the five-year period, disorderly murders have been the most prevalent category of murders recorded in Guyana. There were 368 disorderly murders during this five-year period. These murders emanated from disorderly conduct and interpersonal violence,” he explained.

To bring down the number of disorderly murders, the Guyana Police Force will be launching a social media campaign to raise awareness on disorderly conduct and how it can escalate into murder. Conflict resolution seminars are also on the card.

Murders aside, he reported that 2022 also recorded the lowest number of robberies in a ten year period.

Break and enter and larceny, the Crime Chief pointed out, declined by 23% in 2022. “I wish to submit that break and enter and larceny is the most prevalent offence in Guyana,” he said. However, there were notable increases in larceny and burglary.

According to the Crime Chief, 24% of the serious crimes occurred in Region 4 (A), followed by Region 4 (B) with 18% and Region 3 with 15%, however, this trend, he said, comes as no surprise, due to the large number of persons living and operating in Region 4 (A) and it being a commercial hub.

It was noted that for 2021 and 2022, there was no reported case of piracy. The Guyana Police Force took out of circulation 68 illegal firearms for 2022. The Force observed that the main origin for the illegal firearm seized was the US followed by Brazil.

“Regarding Brazil, a significant amount of illegal firearms seized are the taurus pistols and revolvers. The taurus weapons are produced and sourced from Brazil. Our investigation has so far revealed that Lethem is a main transit points for these weapons,” he explained. 

With regards to drug trafficking, it was reported that 293 kg of cocaine was seized – the third highest in a period of five years. Meanwhile, 761kg of cannabis was seized in 2022 – the highest in five years. 

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