Crime rates in Lae city dropped for the last month

SERIOUS crimes in Lae city dropped significantly last month compared to the previous months.
Statistics from the Metropolitan Commander’s office show that there were only 51 serious crimes reported compared to 96 in August and 77 cases reported in July.
The figures for last month were still lower than the 113 serious crimes reported in June, 88 in May, 115 cases in April, 124 cases in March and 118 cases in February this year.
Rape cases topped the serious crimes list last month recording 11 cases which is higher than the eight cases reported in August and July respectively.
The rape incidences were, however, lower compared to a high of 15 cases in July but higher than the lowest figure of five in May.
The figures for September are also lower than the 13 cases reported in April, higher compared to 10 cases in March but lower than 15 in February.
Drug offences did not change and remained constant at 10 cases in September from the August statistics.
But these figures were lower compared to 11 in July, 21 in June, 24 in May, 25 in April and March recording 18 cases.
Armed robberies was the next highest serious crime on the September list recording nine cases but this was lower than a high 22 cases in August, 13 each in July and June, 15 in May, an equal 22 cases in April, and 29 cases in February.
There were six break-and-enter cases for September which is lower compared to seven in August, 11 in July, 16 in June, seven each in May and April, and 12 cases in February.
Grievous bodily harm was recorded four times in September which is lower than the 13 reported cases in August, and five in July.
Murders dropped from 13 in August to only two in September.
These two murder cases were also lower than the six cases in July but higher than the lone case in June, an equal two cases in May, a high five cases in April and seven in March.
The September statistics also recorded four stealing cases involving amounts over K1,000.
Three arson cases but did not report any illegal use of firearms, abduction or kidnapping, and escaping from custody cases.
Crime list for last month showed that out of the 51 serious crimes reported to police, 30 arrests were made including five in August.