Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, said an announcement on the new measures will be made early this month. (Credit: jos.gov.jm)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday January 3, 2012 – Following reports of a decline in murders and violent crimes across the country in 2012, the Portia Simpson Miller led administration has announced that it will be revealing additional anti-crime initiatives this year.

Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, in commending the police on the significant progress made said an announcement on the new measures will be made early this month.

“There will be the intensification of the initiatives and strategies that worked in 2012 as well as there will be new initiatives

He also stated that the decline in the crime figures is expected to continue this year.

“Particularly since the last quarter of last year showed a very encouraging reduction of about 20 per cent in the number of murders relative to the corresponding period in 2011. So this gives a positive momentum to go into 2013” he said.

According to information from the Police Statistics and Data Management Unit all categories of crime showed reductions in 2012.

One thousand and eighty seven murders were recorded – the lowest in nine years.

It was also revealed that seven police divisions recorded significant reductions in murder.

The police have reported that intelligence-driven raids and increased vehicle checkpoints resulted in a sharp increase in the recovery of firearms and ammunition in 2012.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has welcomed the reduction in major crimes for 2012.

JLP spokesman on National Security Delroy Chuck, commended the Police Force for the reduction in crime and called for the government to provide the force with the necessary resources to continue the fight Regarding the tools to fight crime, Chuck said, the government should introduce the anti-gang legislation, which was crafted under the previous administration of the JLP more than a year ago.

Source: caribbean360