Teenage criminals on Manchester cops radar; 25 murders solved

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Police here say they have arrested and charged teenagers as young as 14 years old in connection with serious crimes even as detectives are advancing the clear-up of homicides with 25 murders solved recently, including cases dating back to 2024.

Head of the Manchester Police Division Deputy Superintendent Odean Dennis says two boys, 14 and 16 years old, are among a recent group of people placed before the courts for serious criminal offences.

“It goes to show that the persons engaged in these criminal activities increasingly are very young persons and persons who have not yet reached their 30s and quite a few of them are in their teens. It represents a significant problem that we are facing in the division. It is something that we are serious about impacting,” Dennis told last Thursday’s sitting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

Regarding curfews, Dennis said the security measure remains in place along the Williamsfield to Melrose corridor including the communities of Comfort, Royal Flat, Land Settlement, and Broadleaf.

“This is as a result of some gang feuds that are going on in that space. Mandeville to Newport corridor including Brokenhurst, Old England, Barnstable, May Day, Albion, Tulsa, Green Street, Sunset, Inverness, Waltham, Cedar Grove, Richmond, Heartease, Belretiro, [and] Knockpatrick remain under curfew.

“We have looked at the curfew situation since I have been here and we have removed it from some areas including Ellen Street and Greenvale,” added Dennis, who took charge of the Manchester division in June.

In relation to major crimes, Dennis said the division has recorded an overall reduction of 61 when compared to last year.

“The most significant reductions were recorded in break-ins, which we saw a 56.3 per cent reduction,” he said while pointing out that larceny and sexual offences are also recording significant reductions.

“While we are seeing a reduction in four of the seven major crime categories, we continue to see an uptick in murders, aggravated assault and shootings… These increases present a challenge to us, but it is something that we are not daunted by,” said Dennis as he noted that 25 murders have been recorded in the parish since the start of the year.

He said the police continue to target lottery scamming, which is linked to serious crimes such as shootings and murders.

“We are seeing an increase in the informal and unregistered businesses, so the high volume of citizens and cash circulating in the commercial space also creates an opportunity for larceny, robbery as well as extortion,” Dennis noted.

The divisional commander said his team has launched an operation targeting wanted persons, violence producers, gang members, lottery scammers, public order breaches, pickpockets, and others across Mandeville and its environs.

“It is geared towards building trust, confidence and reassuring the citizens who reside and operate within the division of the police’s commitment to keep them safe,” added Dennis.