Despite steps being taken to hire more police officers to fight crime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said, this move, will not have an immediate impact, on the country’s murder rate.

Mr. Holness, who was speaking at the Jamaica Labour Party’s central executive meeting on Sunday, noted that with an average of 32 murders committed in the country each week, new officers, will not be able to effect immediate change.

He pointed to 300 recent recruits, who will have to first gather further skills, before being sent on certain operations.

Meantime, Mr Holness lamented that murders do more than affect victims and pressure the resources of the security forces, they also impact the wider society.