Commissioner of Police Major Antony Anderson has announced that Jamaica has recorded a 15% reduction in Major Crimes since the start of 2022.

This includes a 6% decline in murders, a 21% decline in shootings, a 44% decline in rapes as well as a 5% decline in break-ins.

In addition, 163 firearms have been seized. This figure represents a 37% increase in seizures when compared to the corresponding period. This was revealed during a press conference held by the Jamaica Constabulary force earlier on.

In his presentation, Commissioner Anderson also highlighted that a total of 28 rifles have been seized in the find.

These weapons, as highlighted by Anderson have been used as a source of terrorization and mayhem in many communities.

“We continue to seize the primary tools used by gunmen and gangs to inflict death, mayhem, and pain on our society.

Let me make it clear that the high-powered rifles that we have seized, are not cheap, they’re not tools of economic development or productivity, they are high-value weapons normally associated with warfare and crime.” Anderson explained.

“These organized criminals are purchasing them so that they can terrorize our communities, particularly our poorer and more vulnerable communities,” Anderson added.

Commissioner Anderson also alluded that these criminals have been using illicit means to fund as well as purport illegal activities.

“Criminals are funding these weapons through various forms of scamming activities, illicit drug trade as well as extortion,” Anderson notes.

“These criminals are not using ill-gotten gains in their communities, they are using their wealth to live lavishly, purchase guns, and wage wars against their rivals and destroy the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

“These are not poor destitute unattached youth looking for wealth, they are increasingly wealthy and violent people,” Anderson explained. As such, Commissioner Anderson has issued a call to Jamaicans to report illegal activities to stem the tide of crime.