Number of stick-ups, break-ins and murders on the rise

“The number of stickups, break-ins and murders has risen,” said Police Commissioner Agnes Daniel on Thursday at the end-of-theyear party of the Police Force Suriname (KPS). “There has been a slight drop in the number of robberies and sex crimes. There has been a 32% drop in the number of domestic violence cases,” said the police commissioner who added that the degree of violence is noticeable. “Reports indicate that when citizens have a conflict with each other, they often opt for sharp objects to stab one another. In 2015 there were 319 stick-ups and in 2016 there were 319. In 2015 there were 3,840 break-ins and in 2016 there were 3,922. In 2015 there were 34 murders and in 2016 there were 37. “There were 896 robberies in 2015 and in 2016 that number dropped to 841. In 2015 there were 1,756 reports of domestic violence and in 2016 that number dropped to 1,201. In 2015 there were 584 sex crimes and in 2016 there were 545. The police sent 5,389 dossiers to the Office of the Public Prosecutor in 2015 and in 2016 the police sent 4,284. Statistics indicate that 2,900 people were taken into police custody in 2016. 68% of the murders that were committed in 2016 have been solved. The police commissioner pointed out that the police force achieved many successes in its fight against drugs. “215 drug suspects were arrested in 2016,” said the police commissioner who also mentioned the fact that the police had intercepted 552 kilograms of drugs on a boat and 29 kilograms of drugs in a vehicle.