THE police have reported a massive 23 per cent increase in the number of persons murdered up until the end of August over the comparable period last year.

According to the police, 968 persons were killed with August being the bloodiest month so far recording 125 murders, 29 more than the figure reported last year.

Most of the murders in August - 79 - took place in the Corporate Area while St James accounted for 14 killings. There were nine murders in the parish of Manchester.

There was also a 24 per cent jump in shootings last month with 138 persons reported shot and injured, 33 more than the comparable period last year.

Meanwhile, the police reported a dip in sexually related crimes. Police statistics show that 34 rapes were reported last month, 22 less than the 56 reported in August last year. There was also a 40 per cent drop in carnal abuse with 16 cases being reported compared to 25 in August 2006.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

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