Declaring her government's intention to rid Jamaica of illegal guns, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has announced the establishment of special police teams "to do nothing but go in search of the guns, islandwide".

Making her contribution to the 2007/2008 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Prime Minister said the units will begin work shortly.

The first quarter of this year has seen 51 more murders than the same period in 2006.

Nonetheless, Mrs. Simpson Miller claimed some progress in the fight against crime, which she said necessitated a major reduction in the number of illegal guns.

Targets

She said the security forces would target those who import, distribute and rent firearms, but did not say whether the Government intended to pursue diplomatic measures with the main source countries for the importation of illegal guns into Jamaica.

The United States, Jamaica's largest trading partner for legal imports, is also believed to be the major source of illegal firearms. Security forces have also disclosed that a significant number of illegal guns are coming from Haiti, with criminals exchanging drugs for guns.

Already established to find guns is the Caribbean Search Centre, based at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, which is staffed with experts. Yesterday's announcement suggests the security forces intend to engage in a far more comprehensive and intensive search.