The police are reporting that thugs in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston, have stockpiled a large cache of weapons, including the high-powered 50 calibre Grizzly Big Boar rifle.

This gun is used in long-range target and sniper firing and can carry armour piercing bullets.

In addition, the police claim that criminals in west Kingston have stockpiled petrol.

It is believed that this is to set fire to the blockades erected at the entrances into the community as well as to create a smoke screen to prevent aerial surveillance.

The police are appealing to law-abiding residents in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town to report any acts of criminality because they have nothing to fear from the presence of the security forces.

"We intend to conduct our operations in a professional manner in accordance with the law and in the interest of all concerned," said the police in a release yesterday.