Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has assured that the police will intensify efforts to suppress crime and violence in the island’s western end.

This following flare ups in crime in that region.

Since the start of the year, Westmoreland has recorded 27 murders, the same number recorded in the corresponding period last year; while St. James has recorded 40 murders, which is 4 fewer than last year.

Speaking at a Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) quarterly press briefing yesterday, Commissioner Blake said the majority of these murders are gang related.

He said the police will continue efforts to dismantle gangs. 

Meantime, Commissioner Blake has stressed that a State of Emergency (SOE) is not the only measure that can be used by the police, to combat crime.

The Commissioner was responding to questions from journalists about the use of s-o-e’s and other measures to curb crime and violence, during yesterday’s police press briefing.

Commissioner Blake said other tools available to the police to fight crime include regulations under the new Firearms Act and the Bail Act.