Kingston listed among 10 world cities with the highest murder rates

An international survey has listed Jamaica’s capital among 10 world cities with the highest murder rates.

The data, which came from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, show homicide rates per 100,000 people, for the most populous cities of  137 countries.

The Americas overtook Africa as the region with the highest murder rate in 2012 – with eight of  the world’s 10 deadliest cities.

The findings, which were published on Tuesday by Britain’s Guardian newspaper, shows Jamaica at number ten on the list.

It said 328 people were murdered in Kingston in 2011 – significantly down on previous years.

Bassettere in St. Kitts and Nevis, topped the list with 17 murders up from 6 in the previous year.

Belize City, Caracas, Guatemala City, Panama City and Cape Town were some of  the other cities on the list.

credit: rjrnews