Big reward for info on illegal guns

Jamaica's National Security Council has agreed to offering "significant incentives" for information leading to the recovery of illegal weapons.

The incentive programme is part of a national campaign that will be developed against illegal guns and gangs.

A media release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister last night said that the objective of the campaign will be to educate the population on the dangers of illegal guns, dissuade persons from dealing, trafficking, procuring, possessing and using illegal guns.

The campaign will be across all media platforms and will seek the support of all stakeholders. Young men will be the key demographic target of the campaign.

Chairman of the council, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said that the public must be fully engaged and encouraged to give information on illegal activities, particularly on illegal guns.

The prime minister recently said that 85 per cent of all homicides in Jamaica are committed using an illegal firearm.

Data published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force indicate that 132 people were murdered in the first 29 days of January. This compares with 129 for the corresponding period in 2021.

The Holness-led Government is set to table major crime-fighting bills in Parliament, including the amendments to the Firearms and the Bail acts.