Some of the knives, machetes and other weapons seized by the St Andrew Central police. - Michael Lee

Superintendent of the St Andrew Central police Derrick Knight says the division has seen a reduction in the number of criminal activities since January.

"We are doing well in murders and shootings," said the senior cop. During the period January to early March 2009, there were 22 shootings compared to 16 for the same period this year. Murders have also reduced from 20 to 16 during the periods.

The senior cop indicated that there has been a 30 per cent increase in the operational activities of the police overall. He said there were more mobile patrols, raids, spot checks, roadblocks and cordon and searches.

The superintendent said police have made a special effort to increase their presence in the inner city areas and work closer with residents and businesses in the division.

"We have increased the presence of Community Safety and Security Personnel with the aim of building the partnership across the division, more so the inner city," said Knight.

This year the police will also be focusing on gang activities, targeting locations considered as 'hot spots'. Knight said his team aims to dominate selected areas, maintaining 24-hour police presence there.

The police have also made an effort to deter extortion, carrying of offensive weapons, human trafficking and the breaches of the Copyright Act.

successful raids

Since January, approximately 4,000 bootleg DVDs were seized and several raids made on massage parlours and nightclubs. Arrests have been made under the Town and Communities Act, Knight said.

In an effort to further reduce the illegal activities in the division, Knight said police are seeking residents' assistance in locating a man believed to be a gang leader.

He is Christopher 'Dog Paw' Linton, 22, who frequents Halls Delight, Kintyre and Bedward Gardens.

Police believe Linton is connected to many criminal activities in these areas and want to speak with him in relation to shooting and murder.

Some of the knives, machetes and other weapons seized by the St Andrew Central police. - Michael Lee