Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Head of the St Catherine North Police Division, Senior Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, said the division has so far recorded 77 murders in comparison to the 83 at the same time last year.

Nesbeth says the reduction is due to hard work and dedication by the police under his charge.

"We believe that the reduction of six is very important to the building of orderly development in the country; we need more public support to rid the streets of all crimes," Nesbeth said.

Troubled youths

He said the division was leading the country's murder for the first two months of 2015, but this has now changed. He said the work is one that must continue with a view of reducing all other criminal offences in the division.

The senior policeman was addressing the graduation of 146 troubled youths from a behaviour-modification camp.

The camp, conducted at the Innswood High School in the parish, was designed to help the participants and make them more productive in their school and community.

"It was a two-week camp that saw personnel from various groups lecture these youth, and although short, we have seen positive changes," Corporal Rashel Henry, one of the organisers said.

Entertainer Iba Mahr also performed, much to the delight of the young audience.