CRIME RATE ON THE INCREASE

Drug-related offences and violence are continuing to dominate crime in
Bermuda, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams said yesterday.

Reporting a busy start to the year so far, the senior Police officer said
crime had risen by 3.5 percent on the same first quarter period last year.

During the first three months of the year, 735 incidents of crime were
reported, in comparison to 710 for the same duration in 2001.

And the first quarter of 2002 has proved to be more crime-ridden than three
of last year's four quarters.

In previous years, the first three months of the year have been
traditionally quieter than others, due to poorer weather and a lack of
tourists.

However, in the past two years, that has changed with the first quarter
proving to be as busy as any other time of year.

Mr. Adams said he was particularly concerned about a rise in crimes of
violence, especially incidents of wounding.

But also continuing to increase in the long term is breaking offences and
vehicle crime, which are largely the result of heroin and other drug
addictions.

Mr. Adams said: "We have experienced a slight increase in this quarter in
comparison to the same quarter last year.

"Crimes of violence are up marginally, but that seems to be consistent with
the long-term trend that we experience.

"Stealing is down, as are breaking offences, which are down very slightly."

Mr. Adams said that while the total number of breaking offences was
marginally down, some specific areas, including store, school and office
breaking, were up.

And continuing to rise is the removal of motor cycles and auxiliary cycles.

The senior officer said: "Woundings are also a part of the increase. Much
of that has to do with patrons leaving entertainment spots at night. They
are committing offences against one another.

"Another area of concern is sexual exploitation of young people."

So far this year, Police have reported seven cases of sexual exploitation.

Mr. Adams said the number of firearm offences had also been relatively high
this year on previous years, with four incidents reported.

However, he said that may not mean a weapon was involved in each case. It
could have involved ammunition. But he said every firearm report was
treated seriously to ensure any suspected firearms were confiscated, or not
out in circulation.

And the officer said much of Bermuda's acquisitive crime was committed by
people who needed cash for drugs.

He said: "A $3,000 bike can reach $500 in a hurry".

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith said that although the overall number of
breaking offences was down generally this year, the upward trend was
continuing in comparison to previous years.

To the end of March this year, there were 68 crimes of stealing, 275
breaking offences, and 324 vehicle removals.

Mr. Smith said: "We have seen an increase in house breaking generally.
These quarterly figures can be very misleading. The long-term trend is one
of increase. We are definitely seeing heroin driving that."