Police solving less murder cases

About 61% of murderers were caught by police last year compared with 70% in 2007 and 80% in previous years.

Chief Superintendent Glen Miller said this is because police are getting less help from witnesses, who are afraid of retribution.

Miller said some defendants and their families are intimidating people.

In 2006, Paul Farquharson, then Police Commissioner, said key witnesses in major cases had been killed by criminals.

Acting Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said the force is “doing great” and that the police intend to make greater use of forensics in 2009.

-Guardian