This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42757023

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
British tourists warned to 'stay in resorts' in Jamaica security emergency British tourists warned to 'stay in resorts' in Jamaica security emergency
(35 minutes later)
British tourists are being warned they should stay inside their resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica.British tourists are being warned they should stay inside their resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in the St James parish, after a number of "shooting incidents".The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in the St James parish, after a number of "shooting incidents".
The Foreign Office has told British tourists to stay in the confines of their hotels as a "major military operation" takes place.The Foreign Office has told British tourists to stay in the confines of their hotels as a "major military operation" takes place.
About 200,000 British tourists visit Jamaica every year.About 200,000 British tourists visit Jamaica every year.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "[Tourists] should follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, and exercise particular care if travelling at night.A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "[Tourists] should follow local advice including restrictions in selected areas, and exercise particular care if travelling at night.
"[They] should stay in their resorts and limit travel beyond their respective security perimeters.""[They] should stay in their resorts and limit travel beyond their respective security perimeters."
On Thursday the country's prime minister, Andrew Holness, said the state of emergency was "necessary" in order to "restore public safety" in the St James area.On Thursday the country's prime minister, Andrew Holness, said the state of emergency was "necessary" in order to "restore public safety" in the St James area.
Chief of defence Major General Rocky Meade said forces were targeting gangs, with "particular focus on those that are responsible for murders, lotto scamming, trafficking of arms and guns, and extortion". Chief of defence, Major General Rocky Meade, said forces were targeting gangs, with "particular focus on those that are responsible for murders, lotto scamming, trafficking of arms and guns, and extortion".
He added: "We ask that you cooperate with the troops." He added: "We ask that you co-operate with the troops."
Simon Calder, the Independent's travel editor, said gang crime in the area had been "intensifying". Simon Calder, the Independent newspaper's travel editor, said gang crime in the area had been "intensifying".
He told Radio 5 Live: "Last year there were an average of six killings a week - and since the start of the year it has got even worse." He told Radio 5 live: "Last year there were an average of six killings a week - and since the start of the year it has got even worse."
Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner reported that there were 335 murders in the St James parish in 2017.Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner reported that there were 335 murders in the St James parish in 2017.
It also estimated there had been 38 killings across the country in the first six days of 2018, compared with 23 over the same period last year.It also estimated there had been 38 killings across the country in the first six days of 2018, compared with 23 over the same period last year.
As the UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Jamaica, Mr Calder said holiday firms have no obligation to offer customers alternative destinations.As the UK Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Jamaica, Mr Calder said holiday firms have no obligation to offer customers alternative destinations.
He added: "I've never seen Foreign Office advice quite like this before. Normally the UK government says either 'it's OK' or 'don't go'."He added: "I've never seen Foreign Office advice quite like this before. Normally the UK government says either 'it's OK' or 'don't go'."
Are you in Montego Bay? Have you been affected by recent events? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Montego Bay? Have you been affected by recent events? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below