The Jamaica Constabulary Force is reporting a 19. 5% reduction in serious and violent crimes up to yesterday, compared to the same period last year.

Statistics released today by the JCF show that 3,123 incidents were reported between January 1 and December 15 this year, compared to 3,878 last year.

The breakdown of the figures indicates that so far this year there were 1, 234 murders, while shootings accounted for 1,114 incidents.

Rapes and aggravated assault cases make up the balance.

Of the over 3,000 reported cases, only 1,602 have been cleared up.

Meantime, the St. Andrew South police division accounted for the highest number of murders so far this year, with 146.

This is, however, less than the 154 recorded in the division last year.

Portland continues its tradition of being the division with the lowest number of murders, recording 14, but this is more than the 9 recorded last year.