Jamaica Murder Rate Up 26% Since January

National crime statistics have revealed an alarming 26% spike in murder figures in Jamaica in the last 9 months.

According to the report, a total of 1,216 persons were murdered across the fourteen parishes between January 1 and October 4 of this year, a notable increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

Cops say the daily murder rate is at a disturbing 4.4 persons per day as opposed to 3.5 this time last year.

The report also indicated that a majority of the murders took place between the parishes of St James and Clarendon, with both recording 224 and 127 murders in the corresponding time period respectively.

The police high command says they will be intensifying their operations throughout several communities across the island in an effort to curb the disturbing trend.