The number of people murdered in the country since the start of the year has surpassed 700.

The constabulary says up to Sunday, June 26, 716 people had been murdered.

That’s an increase of 1.3 per cent when compared with the similar period last year.

The St. James Police lead the murder tally with 108 people killed to date, followed by St. Catherine North which has recorded 73 murders and Westmoreland with 71.

Meanwhile, shootings have declined by 52, with 562 incidents recorded up to Sunday.

The number of people wounded in shooting incidents also declined by 24.