Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter

The police say they are enjoying some success in getting the illegal guns off the island's streets.

Police reports summarise that at the end of January, a total of 63 guns in addition to 923 rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

Also, for the past six to seven years, they have seized about 600 illegal guns. Interestingly, 111 of the island's 137 murders for January were committed with an illegal weapon.

Hence, this revelation has given the police a new thrust to fulfil their mission.

Head of the Major Investigations Task Force (MIT), Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Les Green says the police will be increasing their activities of what he calls "visible policing".

"As part of our mission to remove illegal weapons we will increase visible policing activities such as road blocks and spot checks...We also plan to keep this in place throughout the year," ACP Green said before explaining the effects of illegal weapons on communities.

"These guns are not to protect communities, they are the root of the problem, we need to get the message out," ACP Green said.

The police are also thanking the brave residents who have aided the police is making seizures for their assistance.

"We have seized a lot of guns from information from residents...We have thousands of witnesses willing to work with us and we are willing to work with them," the MIT head noted.

As for the stigma attached to individuals who assist the police, ACP Green said, "They are not informers, they are citizens that only want to go about their normal business."

In addition, ACP Green said, "We will work with them and keep them safe.That's why there is a hotline, there are very secure means of giving information and Operation Kingfish manages hotlines very well...Look at the success we've had over the years."