Western Bureau: With Christmas fast approaching, the number of robberies in St James are on the increase, and “big business” establishments like the Pelican restaurant along Montego Bay’s Hip Strip are not immune.

In fact, in the last month alone, there have been 18 reported cases of robbery in the parish, compared to 12 for the same period last year.

As a result, the police have stepped up their presence in the area.

Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) officer for the parish, Constable Lancelot Tyrell told the Observer that they have increased the number of mobile and foot patrols in downtown Montego Bay, where the city’s major businesses are located.

“It is the festive season, and we are aware that the criminals are on a rampage,” he said. “Superintendent Ellington has created an initiative where he has zoned up the business areas of Montego Bay, all the way from City Centre to Barnett Street and all the roads leading off,” the CCN officer stated.

“He (the superintendent) has placed foot patrols and mobile patrols in theses areas from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Already there are foot patrols there from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm but he has now extended the hours and started a special patrol from 4:00 pm on to 10:00/11:00 pm and this will run all the way up to Christmas and beyond the festive season,” Tyrell added.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on tourism and environment, Ed Bartlett said the robberies in Montego Bay had fast become a “very serious concern”, since they posed a threat not only to individual businesses, but to the already “fragile tourism industry”.

And in a release to the media, he urged all to protect the industry so that the island could “re-position itself as a major player in the worldwide tourism destination marketplace”.

Constable Tyrell too, urged members of the public to recognise that they have a role to play in ensuring that the number of robberies in and around Montego Bay are not further increased.

“As much as we are increasing our presence, our vigilance and working harder to make this Christmas a safe one, we need citizens to be aware of what is happening. We need for them to lend us the effort to protect their property and their lives,” he said.

He also issued some basic precautions that people can take to protect their lives and properties.

“Don’t walk around with large sums of cash exposing it. If you have large sums of cash to transport, call the police. We will assist you in the transportation of it. Say you are doing business and you feel like there are men out there (waiting to rob you), call the police. We will be there and we will wait until you close up business. And this service that we offer is at no extra cost. If you are staying late at your business, you can call the police…,” he said.