Golding

Squatters across the island should now be on the lookout for the police following Wednes-day's declaration by Prime Minister Bruce Golding that the settlements will be relocated or regularised.

Speaking at a Realtors' Association of Jamaica symposium, Prime Minister Golding said that he had instructed the Police High Command to clamp down on the over 700 illegal settlements in Jamaica.

While admitting that it is difficult to stop persons from setting up house on land that does not belong to them, the prime minister said measures would be put in place to control the situation.

In addition, Golding said that a unit would be set up within the Ministry of Water and Housing to monitor existing and growing settlements.

"We will be setting up an office with some toll-free lines and we're saying to the people of Jamaica, if you see any activity taking place that looks like squatting, just call us and let us know, because the police will be on their way very quickly," said the prime minister.

Golding said that some of the unlawful residents would be relocated where available land existed. He added that some of the settlements would also be regularised if they were located in areas where they did not pose environmental danger.