Junior Murvin dies in Jamaica hospital at 67

Junior Murvin, best known for the 1976 hit song Police and Thieves, has died in Jamaica at the age of 67.

His son, Keith Smith, said the reggae singer died in hospital in Port Antonio on Monday.

The cause of Junior Murvin’s death has not been established although the singer was being treated for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Police and Thieves, produced by the celebrated Lee “Scratch” Perry, became a 1970s anthem and was later covered by The Clash.

Junior Murvin – born Murvin Junior Smith – began his career as a hotel entertainer in Jamaica, eventually becoming a recording artist in the capital, Kingston, the Jamaica Observer reported.

Police and Thieves was a hit in Jamaica and also took off in the UK where it found an audience with punk rock aficionados.

The song became closely associated with the Notting Hill Carnival in London which ended in rioting the year it was released.

Junior Murvin continued to record through the 1980s although his later singles had less success.