It may just as likely have been an effort to intimidate the doctor, or perhaps simply a common robbery.
"Murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and common robbery all decreased within, or almost within, the 7 to 10 percent reduction targets," the service said.
Official figures for April 2013 to March 2014 show the murder rate increased by 5%, attempted murder went up by 4.6%, aggravated robbery was up by 12.7%, and common robbery increased 0.6%.
Violent crime was defined as a conviction for any of the following: homicide or attempted homicide, aggravated or common assault, robbery, arson and sexual offences (including indecent exposure, and illegal threats or intimidation).
James Daniel Walker, 24, of Oxenholme Road in Kendal, admitted robbery, attempted robbery, common assault, possession of offensive weapons and illegal drugs, and two counts of wounding when he used a hammer to attack two Lancaster football fans after a match in Kendal.
Now, with kidnappings and armed robberies common in south-eastern Nigeria, you grit your teeth and pay the cost of the extra security.
In the Dallas area, gay-rights leaders said that while the apparent serial slayings of the gay men had attracted attention for obvious reasons, more common incidents of robberies and harassment of homosexuals were often unreported, sometimes by those affected.
Apple said the most common "requests involve robberies and other crimes or requests from law enforcement officers searching for missing persons".
Around Baghdad, American officials say that looting of electrical cables is among the most common forms of robbery.
Mark Brazil was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of two counts of robbery, common assault, grievous bodily harm and witness intimidation.
