A State of Public Emergency (SOE) has been declared for Clarendon and St. James.

The Office of the Prime Minister made the announcement in a statement today.

The statement said the government, acting in accordance with the constitution, petitioned Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, on the advice of the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence staff, to declare the State of Emergency for the two parishes.

The measure will last for an initial 14 days, beginning at midnight on March 14.

According to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the SOE comes as Clarendon and St. James remain of particular concern for outbreaks of gang violence.

He added that although there have been successes in reducing murders through strategic and tactical security operations, more needs to be done.