Thirty-seven firearms incidents have been reported already this year, almost double the number of incidents reported in the whole of last year.

Of the 37 reported incidents, 13 have been confirmed so far this year, with the Police recovering four guns. Last year, a total of 19 firearm incidents were reported, while 12 incidents were recorded in 2007, less than one-third of this year's figures so far.

Officer in charge of the Serious Crime Unit, Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels, discussed the growing number of firearms cases yesterday at a press conference following a shooting, on Wednesday in the Khyber Heights area.

At around 3 p.m., Police responded to the shooting, which left a 25-year-old construction worker in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The suspects are described as two men wearing dark clothing, riding a dark coloured motorcycle. While the Police say a number of witnesses have given information, they are still asking for those with information to step forward.

Chief Inspector Daniels said that at this stage of the investigation, he could not discuss if the shooting was connected with other recent incidents. He did however deny that the shooting was involved with the death of Kellon Hill, saying there was "no indication" of a connection.

Chf. Insp. Daniels did say that the Police had received "positive news" from overseas forensic testing regarding a recent shooting, but he refused to say which incident.

In response to the increase in shootings, Police created a Gang and Firearms Team late last year, which Chf. Insp. Daniels said is designed to provide intelligence on who may or may not have guns, and to "take down the target" once identified.

Other changes in Police strategy include:

• A 24 hours per day, seven days a week firearms response.

• Consolidation and increase in personnel in various Police units, such as the Police Support Unit, the Community Action Teams, Gang and Firearms and Intelligence.

• Specific targeting and high visibility policing in areas where firearms incidents are most likely to occur, using a more robust style Intelligence-Led Policing model, that is geared to both prevent incidents from occurring and more effectively target and apprehend offenders.

• Organisation of training programmes by overseas instructors, which not only increase knowledge, but also aid with the intention of standardising investigations across the Police Service.

• Development of closer and more formalised working relationships with various partnering agencies, both locally and overseas.