Crime rate on the decline

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The number of grave crimes such as homicide reported through out the country during the past six years has dropped with around 584 murders reported last year, a recent report by the Police Headquarters revealed.

According to the report 1378 murder cases were reported in 2008, 951 in 2009, 741 in 2010, 724 in 2011 and 646 in 2012.

There is also a significant drop in the number of robberies reported during the past few years which was 6729 in 2008, 6100 in 2009, 6440 in 2010 , 6240 in 2011, 6552 in 2012 and 4739 last year. In 2008 there were 18, 153 house break-ins which has come down to 16, 087 in 2013. It was 16, 763 in 2012. Other crimes like arson, stabbing, serious assault and attempted murder have also gone down in 2013 compared to the previous years. However the number of rape cases increased last year to 2148. In 2008 it was 1533, the report showed.