head of Scotland Yard is in travelled to Jamaica as senior officers on the country struggle to curb a spiralling murder rate.

Independent Newspaper in the United Kingdom is reporting that the head of Scotland Yard is in travelled to Jamaica as senior officers on the country struggle to curb a spiralling murder rate. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson is undertaking a five-day visit organised by the University of the West Indies (UWI).But according to the paper, Sir Paul was also expected to meet with the National Security Minister, Senator Dwight Nelson, to discuss bringing down Jamaican drug gangs operating between Jamaica and London. The paper quotes a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman as saying that the Commissioner has accepted an invitation to speak at the UWI about the continuing co-operation on law enforcement issues between the Met and Jamaica, specifically in relation to drugs and violent crime. Citing Jamaica's high murder rate, the paper noted that serious questions have also been raised about a criminal justice system that can take up to five years to put a suspect on trial. But in a release Tuesday morning, the National Security Minister refrained from commenting on the newspaper's assertions.According to the release, Senator Nelson will host a dinner for Sir Paul Tuesday evening at the Mona Visitors' Lodge and on Wednesday, he will meet with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Senator Nelson only said in his release that he will avail himself of the tremendous experience and expertise that Sir Paul possesses.