THE Police High Command says that the risk of attacks by gunmen on security force personnel and assets is now extremely high.

In a statement today police said that the upgrading of the threat level to 'extremely high' was based upon intelligence that gunmen want revenge for the security forces occupation of Tivoli Gardens and to show that prominent gang leaders cannot be held responsible for crime while they remain in detention.

Police are urged to take the threat seriously and to raise their level of awareness both on and off duty.

"Deployments must not fall below defensive levels and personnel should be prepared to act swiftly and decisively in defence of themselves and colleagues," said the statement.

It was the earlier action by gunmen who attacked four police stations, burning one to the ground, and killed two policemen that prompted the declaration of a limited State of Emergency on May 23, which remains in effect for one month.

"At the same time the High Command is reminding criminal elements and those who sympathise with them that the Police remain undeterred in the fight to defeat organised crime."