National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has indicated that the government is prepared to be more aggressive in going after criminal gangsters in Westmoreland.

Dr. Chang blamed the alleged gangsters for the murders of many children and other law-abiding citizens in the parish.

Since January 104 persons have been murdered in Westmoreland.

He said the security forces are prepared to raise the bar in their security operations.

Dr. Chang said the level and types of crimes being committed in Westmoreland are gang-related and that the police, with support from the Jamaica Defence Force, are taking steps to dismantle the gangs.

He said several operational changes were made to the security apparatus of the Westmoreland police division, which has reaped some success.

The minister pledged that government is committed to providing the security forces with the resources to ensure that they can rid the communities in Westmoreland of the criminal gangs.