The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS), has indicated that statistics indicate that violent crimes in the country increased by 40.8% in 2021 compared to 2020.
The top three most reported violent crimes in 2021, the Bureau stated are murder/manslaughter, armed robbery and aggravated assault.
“Violent crimes reported in Y2021 increased by 40.8%, and reported associated deaths also increased by 53.7% over Y2020.”
This was contained in a 2021 report released by the bureau on April 10, 2022.
The report stated that 377 violent crimes were recorded in 2020 but the number shot up to 531 in 2021.
According to the bureau, violent crimes such as armed robbery and homicide cases occurred more frequently on our roads and highways, offices, shops, places of worship, places of entertainment, and other transitional spaces other than in homes.
Also, less than 10% of armed robbery incidents occurred within homes of victims, and 30% of homicides occurred within places like homes and neighborhoods.
The Bureau of Public Safety added that Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions reported the highest incidents of armed robberies in the country, with each region recording 19% of reported armed robbery in 2021.
“Ashanti Region is the murder capital of the country, recording 23% of all homicide cases reported across the country in 2021”, the report declared.
Central Region dominated reported aggravated assault cases across the country by returning 23% of all aggravated assault cases reported for the period.
The usage of firearm in committing violent crime has increased for the third year running increasing in 2021 by 57.6% over 2020.
74% of reported armed robbery cases involved the use of firearms, while 20% of homicide involved the use of firearms.
“All aspects (i.e., cases, deaths and injuries) of transportation increased as compared to Y2020, and the trend at the end of December 2021 was on the upward trajectory”, said the report.
The Bureau therefore called for deployment of state-mounted CCTV cameras at vantage points and footage occasionally released to the public to promote awareness and serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
