Murders throughout Jamaica have dropped by greater than 44% within the first half of 2025, in accordance with new statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Power (JCF), marking one of the vital important declines in homicides in recent times.
Between January 1 and June 14, police recorded 303 murders, in comparison with 543 throughout the identical interval in 2024 — a discount of 240 circumstances, or 44.2%. The info was launched by the JCF on its web site over the weekend.
Different critical crimes additionally fell in the course of the reporting interval, together with shootings, which declined by 32.5% (from 492 to 332 incidents), and rapes, which dropped by practically 33% (from 204 to 137).
General, the nation recorded a complete of 1,606 critical crimes, down from 1,977 in the identical interval final 12 months — an 18.8% lower.
Whereas the downward pattern in violent crimes could sign the effectiveness of anti-gang operations and intelligence-driven policing, different classes noticed will increase. Studies of break-ins rose by 21%, shifting from 421 to 509 circumstances, whereas robberies went up barely, from 317 to 325 incidents.
The parishes with the largest year-over-year drops in homicide embody:
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Hanover, down 75% (from 28 to 7 murders),
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St. James, down 68.5% (from 73 to 23),
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Westmoreland, down 59.6% (from 52 to 21),
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and Manchester, down 55% (from 20 to 9).
Just a few divisions, together with St. Thomas and Portland, reported small will increase in homicides.
Regulation enforcement officers haven’t but formally commented on the mid-year figures. Nevertheless, the JCF has beforehand credited multi-agency cooperation, elevated group policing, and improved surveillance know-how for progress in combating crime.
The sharp decline in violent crime has not gone unnoticed internationally. In Could, the United States downgraded its travel advisory for Jamaica from Degree 3 to Degree 2, citing enhancements in public security. The improve encourages U.S. residents to train elevated warning, fairly than rethink journey altogether — a notable shift from earlier warnings.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness welcomed the transfer, saying in a press release,
“This revision displays the exhausting work of our safety forces and authorities companies. We’ve got been deliberate and data-driven in our strategy to lowering crime and enhancing the security of our folks. Jamaica stays one of the vital vibrant and welcoming locations on the planet, and we’re happy that our progress is being recognised.”
