The Manchester police are implementing targetted measures against lottery scamming and related crimes such as murders and shootings.

This is in the wake of reports that criminals in Costa Rica and the United States of America, as well as local players in lottery scamming in western parishes, are linked to recent murders committed in Manchester.

While in the Perth community yesterday, for a handing over ceremony, Prime Minister Andrew Holness got an update on the crime situation from head of the Manchester police division Deputy Superintendent Carey Duncan.

DSP Duncan said, there has been a 16% reduction in major crimes since the start of the year, compared to the corresponding period last year.

He said the spike in murders, stems from interpersonal conflict, that is, persons fighting over the spoils of lottery scamming.

DSP Duncan noted that Manchester is usually a peaceful parish, and effort will be made to restore it to that status.

This includes the arrest of several criminals.

In response, Mr. Holness said the matter will be discussed with National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang, and Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake.