NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips is to report to the Cabinet next Monday on the current upsurge in major crimes, including murders.

By the Jamaica Observer’s count, approximately 40 people have been murdered since the start of 2007, including two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Information Minister Donald Buchanan told yesterday’s post cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House that concerns were raised at the weekly cabinet meeting about, “what appeared to be an upsurge in terms of crime and, in particular, murders and with respect to the apparent assault upon members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force during the first week of January”.

He said that during their discussions Phillips informed the Cabinet that he would be meeting with the high command of the police force to do an analysis and evaluation of the situation on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, the minister and the commissioner will meet with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to brief her on their discussions, and to indicate what measures are to be deployed to resume the trend of a reduction in major crimes.

The minister will then report to the Cabinet next Monday on the discussions held this week.

Meanwhile, Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair is to hold talks with the leaders of the two major parties on the possibility of political violence linked to the upcoming general elections.

Blair has not yet set a date for the meeting, the Observer has learnt, but the talks are likely to be held later this month, and will primarily focus on a statement made by Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas last week that the police had intelligence about violence to coincide with the staging of the election.