Police last night launched a high profile crackdown on crime following a recent wave of gang violence on the Island.

By press time last night Police had made 19 arrests and seized 29 Molotov cocktails but the operation was still on-going, said Commissioner of Police Jean Jacques Lemay.

Suspected gang members were arrested for possession of offensive weapons, possession of drugs and outstanding warrents.

Commissioner Lemay said: "We believe that the exercises circumvented any potential danger that could have occured, including at Harbour Nights.

"We are satisfied that the second of several initiatives launched today to counteract the disturbinig trend of escalating violence between these gangs was a success.'' The commissioner added that the operation will continue.

Dozens of officers, some with dogs, launched a highly visible operation following concerns over a rash of gang-related incidents across the Island recently.

The clampdown has already resulted in the seizure of offensive weapons and petrol bombs and officers have warned there will be zero tolerance against any sign of organised illegal activities.

Last night Police set up five roadblocks including East Broadway, Barnes Corner and Somerset Bridge and searched vehicles in a bid to stop gangs travelling to cause trouble.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Vic Richmond had earlier alerted the public that they could be inconvenienced by the massive increase in Police operations as they bid to curb the violence.

He said: "We will not tolerate such violent behaviour, be it from gang members or others in the community. We have taken steps on this very, very serious problem.

"From today, measures have been put in place to deal with the problem. You will notice after today that there will be drastic increases in the number of Police officers on patrol -- that's Police officers in uniform and Police officers in plain clothes using unmarked vehicles.

"I can't go into details about how we plan to operate and how we plan to combat the problem. However, I can say that there is no doubt that the general public -- law-abiding citizens -- are going to be inconvenienced, and I just appeal to them to please tolerate us and our activities.'' The announcement of the Police purge came in the wake of several gang-related incidents earlier in the week.

On Monday night, a gang of masked youths attacked the PHC Club in Warwick, terrorising club members and smashing vehicles with baseball bats.

On Tuesday evening Police discovered stashes of Molotov cocktails in two locations on Court Street and White Hill Field, Sandys.

Police launch crackdown And last Friday Police received reports of suspected gunshots being heard at White Hill Field.

Up to ten unmarked Police cars were spotted around 5.30 p.m. at Ord Road, Paget.

The officers, accompanied by sniffer dogs, then questioned about eight youths at the PHC Club in Warwick. Traffic was stopped on Middle Road, Warwick, for about ten minutes during the operation.

Police wrestled a cyclist to the ground on Middle Road, near White Hill Fields, Sandys, and arrested him following a chase.

An eye witness said: "The Police spotted the cyclist and zoomed after him in a car. There was a struggle and they got him to the ground then about six cops handcuffed him.'' Around four other unmarked vehicles went to Somerset, and officers searched the Somerset Long Bay Nature Reserve.

Earlier, Acting Assistant Commissioner Richmond said: "Rumours are rife that there is going to be retaliation and Police activity over the past few days has indicated that there may be some truth to these rumours.

"Our activity is going to be apparent, we are going to adopt zero tolerance of all types of illegal activity -- it's just a warning to those who are involved in what's termed gangs or posses or crews that if you plan any illegal activities you are going to have to suffer the consequences because the Police are going to do all in their power to identify you.

"In the recent weeks crimes have escalated, particularly with regard to acts of violence.

"The assaults and damage are mainly within areas with gang members. Many such incidents of violence are not reported to the Police. The disputes between the gangs arise out of territorial issues, sometimes illegal activities by members of the gangs, but mainly over petty matters, petty disputes that escalate into serious acts of violence.

"The gangs involved are widespread and they seem to be more located in from the extreme west end of the Island to the central parishes. There seems to be less gang activity and gang violence in the eastern parishes.''