The St. James police have launched ‘Operation Endgame’, as the division steps up its drive against criminality in the parish for the remainder of the year.

Commanding officer Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels says there has been a major reduction in serious and violent crimes.

44 murders have been committed in the parish since the start of the year, down from the more than 100 recorded in the same period last year.

A number of persons have been arrested for murder.

The police also have a clear up rate of over 70 percent.

SSP Samuels expects that the latest surge in police operational activities will further reduce crimes.

He adds that the police are working to ensure gangs find no safe haven in the parish.

Meantime, Operations Officer for St James Superintendent Linroy Edwards says the latest operation which also includes an assault on praedial larceny, follows two other initiatives launched earlier.

He states that operation Endgame which began on October 1, is aimed at ending what he called “badness and criminality “ in St James .

It involves a number of components including the police’s plans for Christmas.

A number of persons have been arrested since the operation began on Wednesday.

The police noted that the assistance of other divisions, the Jamaica Defence Force and citizens led to the arrests.