The Government will be spending approximately US$4 million (about J$300 million) to purchase 12 armoured personnel carriers to be used by the police force in the fight against crime.

NELSON... purchasing of the vehicles forms part of the national crime-reduction strategy

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Senator Dwight Nelson confirmed Wednesday that Cabinet had approved the spending, including a 50 per cent deposit of US$2 million on the procurement of the vehicles and spare parts to ensure delivery by next July.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding first revealed the purchase at Sunday's Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) 65th conference at the National Arena.

He told supporters that the police would be given the necessary vehicles to take out criminals, and would no longer need to carry out certain operations in Toyota Corollas.

The new vehicles, Golding said, will be able to accommodate up to 70 men, and that their purchase was an indication of the government's resolve to "take out" gunmen.

Senator Nelson, who was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, said that the purchasing of the vehicles forms part of the national crime-reduction strategy.

"The strategy requires the mounting of a wide range of operations against criminal gangs and persons creating public mayhem. These operations involve the occupation of dangerous spaces with increased risks to members of the armed forces," Senator Nelson said.

"Efforts to effectively execute these operations are hampered by the absence of critical pieces of equipment, including armoured personnel carriers. These vehicles will enable the police to overcome obstacles in the roadway, to operate in hostile situations, including gunfire, and to protect the lives of police officers operating in these institutions," he added.

He said that it will take approximately nine months for their manufacture and delivery, hence the decision on a 50 per cent deposit to ensure that the vehicles can arrive no later than next July.

Nelson explained that in September the Cabinet approved $503 million to purchase motor vehicles and accessories for the security forces, but armoured personnel carriers were not included in that list.

"At the time that sum was approved additional funding for the armoured carriers was not identified, so they were not included. The funds for these vehicles have now been identified and the submission was made to Cabinet on Monday and approved," he explained.

"The government is prepared to treat the needs of the security forces with the highest degree of priority, and these vehicles are part of the priority needs of the security forces, if they are going to be very effective in the fight against crime and increased mayhem happening in the society today," Nelson stated.

He also pointed out that the funding for the carriers was not at the expense of anything in the budget.

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