IN response to the recent upsurge in criminal activities in St Ann, the St Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Constabulary Force St Ann division will host a security meeting on Thursday at Almond Tree Restaurant, starting at 5:30 pm.

Reports are that theft has risen 100 per cent in Ocho Rios since the start of the year, compared to the same period last year.

In the past four weeks there have been three gun attacks on the business community, the last being on Monday when a security guard employed to Atlas was robbed and shot dead by gunmen, while conducting the company’s business.

Since the shooting, members of the public have reacted strongly, condemning the practice of security companies collecting companies’ cash without the use of armoured vehicles.

A week before, a businessman was robbed then shot and injured by gunmen as he made his way to a bank’s safety deposit facility.

“This meeting will serve as further opening of communication lines with the police,” Chamber president, Norma Walters said.

“At this stage crime is beyond belief and we need to see about our own security, we want to see what we can do to sharpen our own skills at safeguarding ourselves,” she added.

The top brass of the St Ann police division will be in attendance and members of the public are being urged to attend and voice their concerns regarding security issues.