MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police in Manchester are reporting significant progress in tackling gang violence with the sustained weakening of three criminal groups in Greyground, Greenvale and Barnstable.

Head of the Manchester police, Superintendent Carey Duncan, said the gangs have gone dormant.

“In Manchester, we have three main gangs that operate in the space. We have the Greyyground gang, the 100 man Gaza gang which operates out of Greenvale and the Barnstable gang,” he told members of the Manchester Chapter Lay Magistrates’ Association of Jamaica (LMAJ) at Golf View Hotel in Mandeville on Thursday.

“However, I am pleased to report to this meeting that because of our sustained and deliberate and strategic operational tempo, all these gangs at this time are very dormant,” he said, evoking applause from the audience.

He emphasised the wide area of policing in Manchester and the successes of law enforcement.

“The Manchester division covers an area of about 830 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 192,000 persons. The division is historically known for high levels of acquisitive crimes such as break-ins and robberies. There has been, however, significant reduction in these crime categories,” he said.

“Last year (2025), we recorded a 38 per cent reduction in murders over 2024. Since last year, because of our sustained and deliberate operational output, we were also able to recover some 51 per cent more illegal firearms in the parish. These firearms were sometimes recovered from persons in fatal confrontations,” added Duncan.

Up to midmorning Friday, Manchester remained murder-free since the start of 2026.

Duncan lauded the LMAJ and its members, who are Justices of the Peace, for their role in sustaining peace.

“[They] play an important role in helping us realising these successes. As the superintendent, I pledge to continue the partnership with the LMAJ as the role of Justices of the Peace is an absolute necessity, as collectively we benefit from your services and initiatives as they strengthen our communities and empower our leaders,” he said.

— Kasey Williams