Some 166 persons were killed in the month of November, according to the latest police crime statistics, making the month the bloodiest this year.

The figures, which were presented by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), represent a 21 per cent increase in the number of killings when compared to the similar period last year.

The month's figure continued the trend of an increase in killings for the year and outstrips January as the bloodiest month which had 149 killings.

November, which saw up to 12 persons being murdered in a single day and outcries from different sectors, brought the overall murder total to 1,415 persons at the end of that month. The reality is, however, that with two days left in the year, more than 1,500 Jamaicans have already been murdered.

The month also saw the death of four policemen, most notably Assistant Commissioner of Police Gilbert Kameka. ACP Kameka, who was killed in Irish Town, St. Andrew, was the highest-profile police personnel to be killed in recent memory.