By PETER MIVA
SERIOUS crime in Lae dropped in the last six months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the metropolitan commander’s office.
There was a lower rate of serious crime committed from June to Nov 2007 compared to June to November last year.
There were 113 serious crimes recorded between June and November this year compared to 171 for the same period last year.
Armed robberies, rape and murder featured prominently in these figures beside other serious crimes.
Only 13 armed robbery cases were reported in June compared to 40 for the same period last year.
One murder case was recorded in June this year compared to four last June while rape cases was a high 15 compared to 13 last year.
July figures showed only 77 serious crimes compared to a high 172 for last July.
There were 13 armed robbery cases reported in July this year and 47 for July last year.
Six murder cases were recorded for July this year compared to a slightly high eight cases reported last July.
There were eight rape cases for July this year and 26 last July.
August recorded 96 serious crimes compared to 100 last year.
Out of these, there were 22 armed robberies against 26 last August, 13 murders ompared to four last August and eight rape cases compared to six recorded last year.
September saw 51 serious crimes recorded, compared to a record 199 last September.
Nine armed robberies were cited in September compared to 60 cases last year with two murder cases for this year compared to 11 for the same month last year.
There were 11 rapes reported in September this year while last September 13 were recorded.
October was the only month to record a rise in serious crime against October last year.
It reported 96 serious crimes compared to 87 serious crimes for last October.
There were 26 armed robbery cases compared to 20 last October.
Two murders were recorded in October this year compared to four last October.
October also recorded 11 rapes compared to 12 last year.
Last month showed 54 serious crimes reported compared to 84 for the same month last year.
Only nine armed robberies were recorded last month compared to 20 last November murder – four compared to seven last November – and eight rape cases equally for last month and Nov 2006.
The preceding six months from December 2006 to May 2007 showed a steady serious crime rate with 2006 recording 86 serious crimes, 87 in Jan 2007, 118 in February, 124 in March, 115 in April, and 88 in May this year.