Operators in the private security industry have lobbied the government for a change in policy which will allow their guards to be armed with high powered weapons.

Director of the Guardsman Group, Lieutenant Commander George Overton made the disclosure on Nationwide This Morning.

President of the Jamaica Association of Private Security, JAPS, Teddy Lee Gray, has repeatedly called for a change in regulations to allow for security guards to be given higher powered weapons to protect themselves from criminals.

It’s understood that the armed thugs, who robbed a security team in Portmore on Sunday, may have been using M-16 rifles.

Commander Overton says discussions around providing more firepower for security guards is ongoing.

Commander George Overton, Director of Operations at the Guardsman Group.