POLICE statistics indicate continued reduction in murder shooting, rape, carnal abuse, robbery, break-in and larceny during July when compared to the same period in 2009.

In a release to the media today police reported that major crimes fell by 38 per cent in July this year compared to the corresponding month last year.

Murders have dropped by 48 per cent to 84 last month from 160 in July 2009. When compared to May this year the murder rate has declined by eight per cent.

Shootings fell from 171 in July 2009 to 67 in July 2010 a decline of 61 per cent.

The police report that rape has dropped by 37 per cent, carnal abuse by 42 per cent, robbery by 43 per cent, Break in by 13 per cent and larceny by 39 per cent.

The statistics also indicate that police have seized almost three times more ammunition and some 15 per cent more illegal firearms last month when compared to the corresponding period last year.

A total of 53 guns and 1091 rounds of assorted ammunition were taken off the streets last month compared to 46 guns 412 rounds of ammunition in July 2009 a 165 per cent increase.