POLICE in Spanish Town, St Catherine, are keeping a close watch on a newly formed criminal network, which they fear could become as organised as the deadly One Order and Klansman gangs -- both based in the old capital.

Superintendent Assan Thompson, anti-crime chief for the St Catherine North Division, said the 'No Order' or the 'Lion Paw' gang is a break-away faction of the One Order gang, based in lower March Pen Road.

But its members, he said, back both the One Order and Klansman gangs -- providing guns, money and other resources to both groups.

The One Order gang aligns itself with the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), while Klansman is supportive of the Opposition People's National Party.

"No order is supportive of the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) but they take no directives from the One Order gang," said Thompson. "They maintain their own leadership and get along with the Klansman people a little better than One Order, which is totally opposed [to Klansman]," he continued.

According to Thompson, No Order members tend to stay out of the conflict between One Order and Klansman members -- both engaged in a decade-long turf war, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 200 persons.

"But if they are called upon we see where support is lent to both rival groups," added Thompson, explaining that their reasons for doing so vary from economical gains to tribal disagreements.

In the meantime, the police are hopeful that a strategy to bring along utility

companies during curfews to disconnect illegal electricity and water connections, will help to stem violence in Spanish Town's most

violent communities.

"There are many residents who support or stay silent, thus allowing the violence to continue," Thompson said. "We believe it will send a message; if they support violence we will come back with the curfew and then the JPS and (National Water Commission) will come in and support us also. So they (residents) stand to lose at every turn," said Thompson.