Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared new States of Public Emergency (SOPE) across several parishes. His announcement comes after efforts to have the previous SOPEs extended until January 2023 were not supported by the Opposition as they were aimed at reducing crime heading into the Christmas period.

Prime Minister Holness made the announcement at a media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister Tuesday morning. Mr Holness says since the end of the last SOPE, there has been an increase in criminal activities. He insists Jamaica is not the only country in the region that uses SOPEs to curb gang violence and increasing murders. Several private sector interests and church groups have called on the Government to act in the interest of the people following the expiration of the previous SOPE. Watch here for more details:

Reporter: Nicola Brown

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