POLICE personnel on the ground at the National Arena have now restricted persons from entering the facility declaring that it is at capacity.

The area, which is the venue for the 68th annual conference of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), is filled to overflowing with party supporters. The area surrounding the venue is also overflowing with supporters with hundreds still locked outside the gates waiting to be allowed inside.

The Arena has a capacity of 8000.

Arthur Wint Drive, normally a two way street, is now virtually one way and gridlocked with some drivers opting to use the soft shoulders as a third lane.

At least one police officer has sustained injury in the crush that is now ensuing at the venue after being pushed to the ground by individuals who stormed a gate to a sterile area of the facility. Hundreds of green clad, bell ringing, flag carrying supporters are making it extremely difficult for the members of the security forces.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake however told the Observer that the situation was under control.

“So far so good, absolutely no challenges. We can expect quite a significant number more of persons, we have ensured adequate deployment,” he told the Observer.

Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh who was observed making his way through the crowd was overwhelmed.

“It’s larger than we ever imagined. There’s traffic built up as far as you can imagine, there are persons coming who will never get anywhere near to the stadium” he told the Observer.

Some disappointed Labourites, after being told they could not be allowed inside the building, observed, “Wi haffi go stay here so, might as well wi stay here”.

One woman, overwhelmed from the heat and crowd, simply fainted.

“We will now have to institute crowd control measures for their own safety,” one member of the security forces told the Observer.