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Leslie, Glaister. 2010 ‘Background: Violent Crime in Jamaica.’ Confronting the Don: The Political Economy of Gang Violence in Jamaica; Occasional Paper No. 26, pp. 8-9. Geneva: Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. 3 November

Relevant contents

Violent Crime in Jamaica

Firearms, particularly handguns, are the weapons of choice for major crimes in Jamaica and the proportion of crimes committed with them is rising.

In 1990, 50 per cent of all reported murders and 57 per cent of all robberies involved firearm use; in 2000, these proportions had increased to 61 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively (Harriott, 2002, p. 5).

In 2009, though the proportion of robberies involving guns did not change significantly (66 per cent), gun murders represented 77 per cent of murders (JCFSD, 2010).

Over the past decade, variations in gun murders have accounted for almost all fluctuations in total murder rates (see Figure 3) [p. 8]; 9 mm semi-automatic pistols are the weapons used most.

Figure 3: Jamaican murders, 1999–2009, by implement used - Number of murders
[Table in the original. p. 8]

Sources cited:

Harriott, Anthony. 2002. 'Crime Trends in the Caribbean and Responses.' Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. November.

JCFSD (Jamaica Constabulary Force Statistical Department). 2010. 'Jamaica Constabulary Force Crime Review Period 2009 vs. 2008 (Provisional).' Kingston: Jamaica Constabulary Force.

ID: Q11087

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