The States of Emergency (SOEs) declared in eight parishes on December 6, will come to an end tonight (December 20).

The emergency measures covered St. Ann, Clarendon, St. Catherine, specified areas of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover.

They were declared after Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that the country’s crime rate had increased, since the previous SOEs expired on November 29.

Stakeholders had questioned whether the emergency powers were valid as at December 6, because the regulations were tabled late in parliament.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hinted that government could implement a new round of SOEs over the Christmas holidays to keep citizens safe.

Speaking on the effectiveness of the measure in St. Ann, the Prime Minister Holness said 32 people have been detained in the parish since the declaration of the SOE.

Of the 32 alleged violence producers detained, 2 have been charged for murder, one for shooting with intent and four for other offences.

The Prime Minister urged law abiding citizens to help the security forces in the fight against crime, by providing the necessary information on criminals.