Jamaica state of emergency extended to provide ‘enhanced security measures’

‘The security forces will have extraordinary powers and some citizens’ rights will be suspended,’ says prime minister

The Jamaican government has declared a new “state of public emergency” in an area west of the capital.

The prime minister, Andrew Holness, said: “The security forces will have extraordinary powers and some citizens’ rights will be suspended.”

Security forces will have the power to detain people without a warrant. Anyone using roads leading in and out of the area will be subject to search. The measure will initially last for two weeks.

A state of public emergency has applied in the Parish of St James, which includes Montego Bay, since January. It was recently extended until 2 May 2018.

Speaking exclusively to The Independent, the Jamaican tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett, said the state of emergency “has been having great success”.

“The state of emergency has really morphed into enhanced security measures, because it impacts a small area of Montego Bay, more in the inner-city areas, away from the coast, away from the tourism areas,” he said.

“The move of course is to secure, and to enhance, the safety and seamlessness of our destination.”

But overseas governments issue strident warnings about safety on the island. Relative to its population, Jamaica has a murder rate roughly 10 times higher than the US and 50 times higher than Britain.

The Foreign Office says: “Be vigilant at all times, even if you’re staying with friends and family. Don’t walk alone in isolated areas or on deserted beaches, even during the day.

“Try to vary which restaurants you use. Using the same place too often might make you a target for thieves.”

American government personnel are prohibited from driving outside Kingston at night, and the US State Department warns travellers: “Violent crime, such as home invasions, armed robberies, and homicide, is common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, even at all-inclusive resorts.”

“Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.”

In response, Mr Bartlett said: “Less than 0.1 per cent of all the crimes committed in Jamaica are against visitors.

“We have 52 per cent repeat business, which is phenomenal for any country. And what it says is that people have been happy with the way Jamaica has operated over the years. We don’t want to change that. So anything that threatens it, we take strong steps to ensure that it doesn’t.”

The island has seen sustained growth in UK holidaymakers since 2012. Of around 200,000 annual British visitors to Jamaica, 130,000 are tourists, while 55,000 are visiting friends and relatives. The peak months for visits from the UK are July, August and December.