Above: Spanish Town

Major crimes in Jamaica fell by 12.6 percent in the first six months of 2011, compared to the same period last year, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica.

There were 189 major crimes per 100,000 Jamaicans from January to June, down from 216 per 100,000 in the corresponding period in 2010.

Murders in Jamaica fell to 19 per 100,000 members of the population, a 39.5 percent decrease from 31 per 100,000 in 2010.

The crime statistics were released by Richard Lumsden, programme manager at the Planning Institute of Jamiaca’s Plan Development Unit.

–Jamaica Information Service