MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and other stakeholders are lamenting the rising murder rate this year in the normally quiet parish of Manchester.

Compared to 39 murders last year there have been 51 murders already recorded.

The latest incidents have been the shooting deaths of 20-year-old construction worker Nickoy Swaby in Cedar Grove and 53-year old shop keeper Sedrick Wood in Belretiro District last Friday night..

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bishop Dr Gary Welsh suggested that “itinerant” criminals are a possible cause for the increase; making the parish once low in crime statistics now having figures higher than police divisions regarded as violent.

“Every division in Kingston has a lower murder figure than Manchester,” he said.

Welsh was speaking on the weekend at the launch of the Williamsfield Gardens and Williamsfield Heights Neighbourhood Watch in the parish.

He lauded the residents for their efforts, stating that there is value in citizen engagement and working around the common cause of safety and security.

Welsh said that going into the New Year there are planned initiatives to effect some changes to bring crime figures down across the island.

Alicia Sutherland