POLICE are reassuring the public that the violence remains limited to a "narrowly defined area of Kingston", despite gunshots ringing out across downtown and central Kingston all this morning.

By 'narrow' security forces mean the area of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town where they have been battling gunmen trying to prevent the arrest of local don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Police could also be seen stopping and searching motorcars heading in and out of the downtown area.

"The public is, however, being urged to cooperate with the security forces as we try to serve you in a very challenging environment. Our members have been instructed to be courteous and respectful to all in their interactions and that no act of indiscipline or abuse of power will be tolerated," said a release from the Police High Command.

Travelling down Slipe Pen Road this morning the situation was tense with a heavy police presence and the road empty further down as we turned onto Heroes' Circle. But it was on East Street that we heard the first significant volleys of gunshots and police dashing on foot from street to street.

Police vehicles, open pick-ups, patrol cars and armoured vehicles passed us frequently and many roads remained blocked, including bedside Parliament with an upturned motorcar on Charles Street blocking the way into West Kingston.

As a preventive measure security forces had blocked roads close to army headquarters at Up Park Camp. Meanwhile regular automatic gunfire could be heard coming from inside nearby Allman Town.

Individual soldiers were also manning roadblocks at the bottom of South Camp Road and by the harbour, preventing us from venturing closer to the operation in Tivoli Gardens.

Citizens may call 946-1248 to report acts of misconduct or other concerns.