Area Two police vow to put a huge dent in crime

The police in Area Two have vowed to put a huge dent in crime in the three parishes, St Ann, St Mary and Portland, during 2016.

At a meeting yesterday at the Area Two headquarters in Tower Isle, St Mary, commanding officer for the region, ACP Glenford Hudson and the heads of the three divisions vowed that every effort would be made to ensure Area Two remains the safest region in Jamaica.

This commitment came against the backdrop of increases in serious crimes in the region during 2015, when compared to 2014.

For the year, the murder figure across the region rose by eight.

St Mary saw an increase of three murders, from 26 to 29; St Ann was up by three, from 38 to 41, and Portland had two more, going from seven to nine.

And robbery rose by 33, shooting by 25 and there were 12 more rapes.

There were decreases in other areas such as larceny, aggravated assault, break-ins, missing persons and stolen motor vehicles.

The police in Area Two reportedly have an average clear-up rate of 45 per cent.

Hudson says for 2016 the focus will be on dominating public spaces and enhancing public confidence in the police.