POLICE and soldiers have stepped up their search to nab criminals in several hot spots located in the Eastern St Andrew communities of Papine, Kintyre and August Town where a three-day curfew has been imposed.

Police said over 100 persons were apprehended during the first day of the curfew and today they would be taking their search to locations where they believe illegal weapons could be hidden.

The curfew, which began at four o'clock yesterday morning, will remain in effect until 4:00 am tomorrow.

So far on day two of the curfew, nothing illegal has been found, but officers will continue their search of the area, a cop on the ground said.

Cops also said the men who were apprehended yesterday were still being questioned.

The boundaries of the curfew are north along an imaginary line from Papine Square to the Kintyre community; south along an imaginary line along the foot of Long Hill Mountain, between the August Town Quarry and Princess Alice Drive; east along the Bedward Gardens Main Road between Kintyre and August Town Quarry and west along Hermitage Main Road, University Drive and Golding Avenue.

It also runs between Papine Square and Princess Alice Drive.

During the curfew, persons within its boundaries are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by a member of the security forces, police said in a statement.

Dozens of persons have been detained in the Corporate Area since the imposition of a limited State of Emergency in May, which was extended until the end of July to include St Catherine.