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— policePreliminary figures released by the Guyana Police Force show that there were more armed robberies in 2008 than in the previous three years; but fewer illegal firearms were seized last year than in 2005 and 2006.According to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud,Justin Williams Capitals Jersey, the statistics show police investigated 1,Alexander Semin Canadiens Jersey,228 armed robberies in 2008,Dominic Moore Canadiens Jersey, as against 1,084 armed robberies in 2007; 1,119 in 2006 and 995 in 2005.Persaud also stated that 137 illegal firearms were seized in 2008,Conor Sheary Penguins Jersey, the year that the Joint Services finally smashed the so-called Rondel ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins Gang.He said that 146 illegal firearms were recovered in 2007.Previous statistics given to Kaieteur News showed that 141 firearms were recovered in 2006 (including 13 of the AK-47 assault rifles that were stolen from the army that year), and 129 firearms in 2005.Earlier this month,Alexei Kovalev Canadiens Jersey, the Crime Chief had revealed that 157 people were murdered in 2008, compared with 115 in 2007. There were 150 murders in 2006; 120 in 2005; 131 in 2004; 206 in 2003,Jacques Plante Canadiens Jersey, and 142 murders in 2002,Mike Gartner Capitals Jersey, the year of the infamous jailbreak.The 2008 homicide rate soared primarily because of the mass killings at Lusignan, where eleven villagers were slaughtered; Bartica,Ryan Callahan Lightning Jersey, where 12 were slain, and at Christmas Falls,Patrick Roy Canadiens Jersey, where eight miners were murdered and their bodies burnt.This was compounded by the fact that there were several sensational murders which still remain unsolved. |
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