There will be deployment of law enforcement officers via sustained joint operations in response to recent violent crime.

This agreement was made with heads of security forces as the National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, met with officials yesterday.

The Office of the Prime Minister says Dr Rowley expressed serious concerns about incidents of violent crime and the continued use of illegal high-powered assault weapons.

He also discussed with the law enforcement leaders gathered the need for a more proactive, targeted approach, focused on those who are known and suspected to be involved in serious criminality.

Yesterday’s meeting included Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher; Deputy Commissioners Junior Benjamin, Natasha George and Suzette Martin; the heads of the ten policing divisions; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel; Acting Prisons Commissioner, Carlos Corraspe; and Strategic Services Agency Director, Brigadier General (Ret’d) Anthony Phillips-Spencer.