OCHO RIOS, St Ann – Superintendent of police for St Ann Ray Palmer is warning parents to keep an eye on their children during the summer holidays as most sexual assaults against children occur in the parish during the summer months.

“You will recognise, certainly, that these are the summer months, the time when schools are on holidays and children are left at home – often unsupervised,” Palmer said.

“As another summer approaches, I call upon the parents to exercise close supervision over their children. And if they have to leave them in the care of someone else, be sure that that person is trustworthy and has your child’s best interest at heart.”

He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 40 new Justices of the Peace at Sandals Ocho Rios Resort on Thursday.

According to the senior cop, of the 68 reported cases of sexual assault against children under 16 years in the parish last year, 43 per cent (29) took place during July and August.

Superintendent Palmer’s comments came against the background of a continuing trend of sexual abuse of the island’s young girls.

Last month, the Observer reported that a 14-man gang was abducting and raping young Kingston girls in the 14 to 17 age range.

“There is a gang taking away young ladies and carrying them to an unknown destination where they sexually abuse them,” a highly-placed police source had confirmed then.

Deputy Superintendent Hyacinth Newman of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse had also confirmed that, at the time, six cases of abduction and rape had been reported to Corporate Area stations over a two-week period stretching from April into May.

On Thursday, Superintendent Palmer spoke of the need for greater community involvement to help cops protect the young and the vulnerable.

“Jamaica needs many more people like you, particularly at a time when we are finding that many of our young and vulnerable citizens are being brutally abused by many of those who should be caring for and protecting them,” he told the newly-sworn JPs.

“Very shortly you will be part and parcel of a body that has, as its central role, the dispensation of justice. I am imploring you to perform your duties honourably. Let your voices be heard in the campaign against crime and violence and be unwavering in your commitment to serve your country.”