Murders are up by 65 percent and there has been a 70 pe cent increase in gun-related homicides at the end of January compared with the same period last year.
By Darryl HeeralalThe Homicide Bureau recorded 38 murders up to January 31, compared with 23 in 2005.
January murders fell short by two when compared with the highest number of murders ever recorded in one month-40 in September 2005.
And with an almost two-thirds increase in murders, the detection rate has dropped by over seven per cent.
Of the 38 homicides recorded, charges were laid in connection to two murders, a detection rate of 5.2 per cent. In two other cases, police have a suspect under guard and a woman was killed in a murder/suicide.
In 2005, of the 23 murders committed, charges were laid in connection with three homicides, a 13 per cent detection rate.
Gun-related deaths have also gone up, with 29 of the 38 murders committed with illegal firearms, a 70 per cent increase over the number of fatal shootings last year.
Seventeen gun-related homicides were recorded in January, 2005.
Gang-related murders in Laventille and east Port of Spain continue to be a problem, with 16 of the 38 murders committed in those areas, 42 per cent of the overall figure.
Killings in these areas have also gone up by 25 per cent compared with last year's figure.
No murders were recorded in Morvant in January 2005, compared with four this year.
Murders along the East-West Corridor this year have gone down compared with last year, with more of the killings spread out around the country.
In January 2005, 82.6 per cent of the murders were committed between Sangre Grande and Carenage, compared with 76 per cent for this year.
However, this year there has been a 50 per cent increase in murders between Arima and St Joseph.
Increases in the homicide rates have also been recorded in Central, South and East Trinidad.
Four murder victims whose bodies were found this year-Balram Maharaj, Samdaye Rampersad and brothers Neil and Nigel Siberan-were recorded as 2005 murders.
The Homicide Bureau is still to classify the death of Ray Neptune who was shot on November 4 last year and died at hospital on January 4.
