Surge in violence against women

NINE people were murdered in the TRNC during 2018 compared with eight in 2017 and 1,925 members of the public were subjected to physical attacks against 1,823 the year before, according to figures released by the General Directorate of Police.

The statistics also showed a surge in violence against women which increased from 305 cases in 2017 to 372 last year.

However the number of people injured in crimes fell from 132 to 125 last year, and attempted murders were also down, from 14 in 2017 to eight last year.

A total of 325 properties were burgled last year compared to 356 during the previous 12 months and there were 1,479 other types of theft compared to 1,404 in 2017.

The total number of robberies in 2018, at 13, was three less than in 2017. Meanwhile the figures demonstrated a reduction in drug-related offences, from 380 to 323.

Traffic offences also saw a slight decline in 2018, from 3,988 to 3,886 the year before.