Gangs of robbers have caused violent crime figures to reach their highest in seven years, according to police statistics released yesterday.

However, officers have been limited in their enforcement by "a number of victims" who are refusing to pursue the matter in court.

"There were 46 robberies in the first quarter of 2008 which is substantially more than the 29 robberies that were recorded in the first quarter of 2007," said acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Jackman (pictured), as he announced statistics covering January through March.

"In fact, the level of robberies that were recorded in the first quarter for 2008 is the largest quarterly figure in comparison to the January to March period for the last seven years . . . Half of all robberies occur in the City of Hamilton and in almost all the offences the victim is male of black, white or Portuguese origin.

"Unlike theft of motor vehicle or burglary offences, robberies bring the offender and the victim face to face and the description that the victims are telling us are of groups of between two and six young black males committing these offences. Cell phones, gold jewellery, and cash are the main items stolen and these offences usually happen between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"It is of note that a number of victims of robbery are telling the BPS that they have been robbed and are then requesting that there is no further police action, which limits the ability to pursue these offenders. Sixteen persons have been arrested for these offences, seven are before the courts, one has already been convicted, and there is insufficient evidence for the other suspects."

The acting Assistant Commissioner encouraged the public to do its part, and take every precaution so as not to become a victim of robbery or the burglaries said to be committed by a small band of criminals specifically targeting unsecured homes for electronic items and jewellery. Warwick and Southampton were said to be the worst affected of the western parishes while 45 burglaries were spread evenly over the eastern area.

"There were 304 burglary offences in the first quarter of 2008 which is exactly the same number as the first quarter of 2007," he stated.

"Recent crime trends confirm that March 2008 (which had 110 cases) was lower than March 2007 (with 121). Recently, there have been numerous arrests of burglars and for the last two weeks, offences have now settled at the long-term average of three burglary offences per day.

"The majority of the burglaries across the island are being committed by a small group of individuals. We have seen this manifested where a suspect was arrested on February 25, who has since admitted to 125 burglary offences in the central and western parishes."

That particular thief was charged in court while a separate group of five robbers "responsible for a large number of burglaries in the western parishes" await sentencing, Mr. Jackman added.

"Electronic items and jewellery are the most likely property to be stolen and in approximately one in four burglary offences, the offender has entered through either an insecure door or window. In almost 50 per cent of the offences, a window has been used to gain entry, which has been mainly insecure, but in some cases has been secure.

"Therefore, members of the public should continue to be mindful of how to make their property as secure as possible especially if their windows do not shut, they do not have window locks, or if they have air conditioners through their windows which can be removed to allow entry."

Four of the 19 people arrested for allegedly committing crimes in western parishes are believed responsible for "a large percentage of the total number of offences".

Thirteen people were arrested for thefts in the eastern area.

According to Mr. Jackman, 12 have been placed before the courts with ten cases pending and two convictions. In the central parishes, 19 persons were arrested for burglary, eight of which have been before the courts and three - responsible for the majority of burglaries - have been convicted.

He added that vehicle theft is now at its lowest in seven years, with 165 incidents reported in the first quarter of 2008.

"This is much less than the 237 for the first quarter of 2007. In fact, the level of theft of motor vehicle crime continues to show a long-term decrease and the first quarter figure of 165 is the lowest quarterly figure in comparison to the January to March period for the last seven years."