MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A massive operation involving the police and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) aimed at disrupting criminal activity was ongoing in Mandeville and its environs Friday afternoon.

Chief of police in Manchester, Superintendent Melvin Brown told OBSERVER ONLINE that the operation was taking place against the backdrop of a perceived hike in criminal activity in recent weeks.

“We want to do our very best to bring a sense of calm and comfort to people ahead of Christmas,” Brown said.

“We will disrupt criminal activities by whatever means necessary,” he added.

Brown said that gang members believed to be involved in a number of crimes in and around Mandeville were being targeted.

He said the security forces were focused on a number of areas where criminals were known to prey on the vulnerable including the market and other crowded shopping areas, bus parks and taxi parks.

The Manchester police, Police Area 3 (St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon), Flying Squad, Motorised Patrol Division, Trans National Crime, Organised Crime, the Traffic Division, the Canine Division as well as the JDF were among the security groups involved in the operation Friday.

Garfield Myers