State of emergency in Jamaica parish

Decision taken after increase in violence

Thursday, 18th January 2018

Last updated: 18 January 2018, 6:22 pm

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency limited to St James.

It coincides with an increase in violence including murders and shootings.

The latest incidents occurred three hours apart near the round-a-bout to the Sangster International Airport on Tuesday leaving one man dead and three others seriously hurt.

St James ended 2017 with a record 332 murders – 67 more than reported in 2016.

Since early this morning soldiers and police have been blanketing parts of St James carrying out searches.

Yesterday, Holness announced that tough new anti-crime measures were coming.

"We have reached the point where we are now prepared to take those firm and resolute measures to ensure that the crime monster does not destabilise the promising future that is in store for Jamaica," the prime minister said.

The parish of St. James is under a State of Public Emergency, there is no "Limited State of Emergency". pic.twitter.com/qaeyXjrGCe
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) January 18, 2018