More armed police will be deployed across the Island following a spate of firearms incidents and a rise in the number of shootings.Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said: “The number of rounds that have been discharged at each incident lately is higher than we have typically seen.“Whether or not a fresh supply of ammunition has been smuggled is not clear, but it is clear that there are still gunmen at large that need to be captured and brought to justice.”To ensure that the “appropriate level of armed response could react immediately to firearms incidents, the Community Action Teams have stepped up patrols in several neighbourhoods this week, “especially in the Somerset area”.“We are looking for information that will lead us to arrest the shooters, or find the guns, before the next shot is fired. Every piece of information that the public gives us is helpful,” said Mr DeSilva.“I have also looked at the deployment of our armed police officers and I have taken steps this week to provide more coverage. We cannot predict exactly where the next shooting might take place, but I have ensured that we will have an appropriate level of armed response to react immediately.”The Commissioner noted that police had not received any reports of shipments of illegal ammunition or any information about planned retaliations between rival gangs.“I encourage anyone with genuine information about either of these scenarios to contact the police directly, or to make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 800-8477. Crime Stoppers will reward up to $100,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction, or a seizure of a firearm,” added the Commissioner.Police have responded to a spate of firearms incidents in recent months, most recently in Sandys.Around 1.30am on Saturday, October 27, officers responded to reports of gun shots in the Greenfield Lane, Long Bay Lane area of Sandys.Just two days before on October 25 shots were fired in the area of Somerset Road and Ledgelets Lane around 12.15am.Three days before that shots were fired in a quiet Smith’s neighbourhood. Area residents said a man was fired upon by an unknown gunman shortly before 11pm on Monday, October 22.Police were called to the Peet Point Lane area of Smith’s where a bullet was found embedded in the front door of an apartment, with bullet marks on surrounding walls.On July 31 two men fired gunshots in the parking lot at John Smith’s Bay just before midnight, no injuries were reported. A police spokesman said officers were called to the scene around 11.30pm.Two men on a motorcycle rode into the parking lot area and fired shots before leaving.Prior to that shots were fired in a Spanish Point neighbourhood after 11pm on July 10. And once again police collected forensic evidence at the scene on Seagull Lane that confirmed shots were fired.Police have continued appeals for information on all firearms incidents. Anyone with information is urged to call police on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline, 800-8477.