Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert says there has been no decrease in crime. He spoke in a telephone interview yesterday in the wake of National Security Minister Jack Warner's claim that crime has decreased. Imbert said: "I looked at the statistics and at the figures between 2011 and 2012 and they don't add up."
He said the only truthful comparison can be made between the statistics of 2011 and 2012. "If you look at 2011 and 2012 and you look at murders, kidnappings, rapes, robberies, larceny, woundings and shootings, there are more n 2012 than in 2011," he added.
When questioned about the lack of detection figures, which were not made available, he said: "I am sure there is a low detection on all these violent crimes." Imbert said there had been an increase in all violent crimes. "Only a crazy person can say there is a decrease nearly in all categories of violent crimes. That has to be a form of madness. I am tired with ministers of national security who trying to use statistics. It is nonsense," he said.
Imbert said there had been a significant increase in virtually all violent crimes when compared with 2011. He added: "To my astonishment, the statistics show an increase in violent crime and the Government claims there is a decrease.
"This is horrifying. The victims of crime are going to think the Government is crazy. They are the ones who are the victims of robbery, car-stealing, murders, shootings, rape. They experience the trauma. The Government has to stop playing games. What is the point of all of this? Any intelligent person can see it is not true.
"It must be difficult for the police to see the figures in front of them which show an increase of violent crimes and are being forced by the political directorate to say there has been a decrease."