And while those murder figures are enough to make anyone hang their head in weary resignation, in Jamaica, the staggering crime statistics almost brought the Police Minister Peter Bunting to tears. In a speech that has triggered angry responses from Jamaicans, on Saturday Bunting said only divine intervention can solve his country's problems – we have this report from CEEN News:..

Tamika Tomas Reporting
"It was an emotional security Minister Peter Bunting who lamented the situation of the country's crime problem. After fifteen months on the job, the Minister says he is frustrated over what he described as little results despite the best efforts of the security forces. Speaking at the anual cry and thanksgiving service for the security forces, as the Northern Caribbean university over the weekend, the Minister noted that he was in a dark time in his career as Minister and only divine intervention would solve the crime misery."

Peter Bunting, Minister of National Security, Jamaica
"After fifteen months I am convinced that the best efforts of the security forces by itself, will not solve the crime problem in Jamaica but it is going to take divine intervention; touching the hearts of a wide cross section of the society"

Tamika Tomas Reporting
"Clearly holding back tears he suggested that help from the heavens is needed by way of the Almighy uniting the hearts of politicians, the church and the private sector to make appropriate decisions. He told the gathering that based on statistics the monster of crime seems to be winning"

Peter Bunting
"I am not embarassed to say that right now as Minister of National Security, I am going through a kind of dark night of the sort because we are trying very hard at the Ministry. I see the men and women of the security forces trying very hard working night and day and long hours. I see the leadership, capable, competent professionsal of both the police and the military. So much effort is being made and yet so little headway is coming out in the statistics"

Tamika Tomas Reporting
"The Minister is clinging to Faith"

Peter Bunting
"It really takes a lot of faith to keep working in the going in the face of this and of course I am happy that I have so many persons of faith to encourage and support, not just myself but all of the security forces"

Tamika Tomas Reporting
"Tamika Tomas Reporting for CEEN Caribbean News"

Bunting has since back-pedalled, saying "far from retreating, he is only more determined to, quote "confront and remove the monster of crime and violence from our midst."