The national security minister is expressing confidence in the ability of the combined security forces to quell the upsurge in crime, particularly in Westmoreland and St James.

Dr Horace Chang said: “while there are no (state of emergency) SOEs operating in the parishes, the security forces will spare no effort in bringing these vicious criminals to justice.”

Chang continued: “The police remain vigilant and committed to apprehending criminals and securing our communities. The recent guns and ammunitions find signifies the continued work of the security forces to keep out guns, which are used in most violent crimes.”

He went on to denounce the recent spike in murders in St James and Westmoreland, as he expressed confidence in the ability of the police and military to curtail the upsurge in crime in the west.

“We are confident that the combined security forces are capable, with adequate support, to contain the rate of crime in Jamaica,” Chang said in a media release today.

The expression of confidence from the security minister comes just hours after the security forces impose curfews in sections of Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland in the aftermath of a series of gun attacks in which at least eight people were hit, three fatally.

The police also released a long list of wanted men who are believed to be behind the upsurge in criminal activities in the west. The 24 men are being urged to immediately report to the police.

In the meantime, the security minister is urging all persons with information concerning murders to speak to the police, or call Crime Stop at 311.

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