The Ghana Police Service has revealed that it handled a total of 525 murder cases across the country in 2015.

The figure is lower than the number recorded in 2014 and 2013 – 543 and 551, respectively.

These came to light at the annual get-together for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at the Police CID Headquarters in Accra on Friday March 18, 2016.

Accra News’ Jedidiah Patrick Anarfi, who attended the event more commonly referred to as ‘Wassa’, also reported that nationwide, robbery cases totalled 1,411 for 2015, having shot up from 2013’s 1,235 and 1,116 for 2014.

With regards to rape, complaints rose from 484 in 2013 to 514 in 2014, before dipping to 451 in 2015

It was also revealed at the get-together that narcotic cases had recorded marginal increases, with cannabis accounting for 95% of cases.

Overall, the general crime rate reduced by 2.2 per cent in 2015, which recorded 4,715 cases, down from 4,738 in 2014 and 4,845 in 2013.

Present at the event was the IGP, Mr John Kudalor, who cautioned police officers against getting mired in crime or other misconduct that would tarnish the image of the service. He also stated that police personnel would be provided with adequate logistics for better policing during the November polls to ensure a smooth event.