The crime statistics for the month of May, released on Tuesday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), show a sizeable decline in the number of women killed in May 2009 when compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to the data, 32 women were killed during May 2008. This May, however, only seven women fell victim to crime. This represents a 78 per cent decline. Murders on the whole, have also declined, with 152 people killed this May, compared to 199 last May.

Director of communication for the JCF, Karl Angell, told THE STAR that general strategies were put in place to reduce murders this year. He added, however, that the JCF always implements initiatives to protect the vulnerable in society, including women, children and the elderly.

In another encouraging development, the number of children killed in May, which ironically is celebrated as Child's Month, also decreased. In May 2008, 15 children were killed during the month of May. However, this year, that number has been reduced to 10. The number of policemen killed has also decreased, moving from two last year May, to one in 2009.