Portland cops boast 167% murder clear-up rate

Portland criminals are finding it increasingly difficult to outrun the law, with police revealing that the division has racked up a staggering 167 per cent murder clear-up rate this year as detectives tighten the noose on killers and other offenders.

Commanding Officer Superintendent Ainsley McCarthy said the impressive figures reflect months of intelligence-driven policing and relentless investigative work aimed at bringing offenders before the courts.

"When we look at our clear-up rates... we have had 167% clear-up," McCarthy said during a divisional review.

The division has also recorded strong performances across several other major crimes.

According to McCarthy, detectives have achieved a 90 per cent clear-up rate for rape, 86 per cent for aggravated assault, 60 per cent for robbery, 50 per cent for shootings, and a perfect 100 per cent clear-up rate for larceny.

"If you look at larceny, sir, we're at 100% for larceny. It means we have cleared all our larcenies," he said.

McCarthy added that investigators have not only been targeting major crimes but have also been paying close attention to less serious offences.

"Our minor crimes are at 75%, which means that we have been giving all our minor crimes attention," he said.

While acknowledging there is still work to be done, the senior officer warned that detectives are actively pursuing suspects who remain on the run.

"For those that will bring our clear-up to 100%, we are actively pursuing those persons. Those persons cannot be found, or they don't want to come in," he said.

McCarthy credited the division's success to intelligence-led operations targeting individuals believed to be driving violent crime in the parish.

He said detectives and operational teams will continue working together to improve investigative outcomes while maintaining pressure on repeat offenders and organised criminal networks.

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