Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

Police are investigating two incidents of mail being stolen from the Central Sorting Office, downtown Kingston.

Jamaica Post is increasing security measures to prevent a repeat of the thefts on June 11 and June 16, confirmed Kern Spencer, State Minister for Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, whose portfolio includes Jamaica Post.

Mr. Spencer said police were following "some good leads" but would not reveal further details about the investigation. Jamaica Post itself maintained silence on the incident, stating its policy of not discussing sensitive security matters - itself a measure taken to prevent criminals gaining valuable information.

"Some items were actually stolen and we are presently quantifying the value of the stolen items," Spencer told The Gleaner. "Since then we have beefed up security arrangements and we have two canines patrolling the premises."

Extra security guards

The minister said extra security guards were being hired and floodlights and grills installed. He assured the public that Jamaica Post - which handles over 70 million items of mail annually - remained secure.

"I think this is just a one-off incident and we have been on a security drive recently since some minor incidents in the rural areas, and the post office is still totally secure," he said.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com