Gangs fire on IATF police at Old St Joseph Road

Members of the Inter Agency Task Force came under heavy fire yesterday from gang members hiding out in the Laventille hills during a stop-and-search exercise in the area.

According to reports, shortly after midday the officers were searching cars near the tamarind tree on the Old St Joseph Road when they were fired upon.

As they took cover, even behind police cars, schoolchildren and drivers also tried to get to a safe area.

Police called for back-up and the area was cordoned off. A search was done but the gunmen were not found.

Sources said a meeting will be held to discuss this latest attack on the police.

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and ACP Irwin Hackshaw were informed of the attack and condemned it.

Hackshaw said yesterday the police will not allow such an act to go unnoticed and will work around the clock to find the perpetrators.