Sun, 2009-08-02

About 8.13pm on Friday 31st July 2009, Police responded to a report of males fighting on the grounds of St. George’s Cricket Club. Initial Police investigations indicate that the fighting started after two male patrons were involved in a heated dispute in the main bar of the St. George’s Cricket Club, after the conclusion of the Cup Match.

Bottles were thrown and a general melee ensued where chairs and other objects were used as weapons in an apparent confrontation between men from the Pembroke area and a number of men from St. George’s Parish. The suspects are also reported to have snatched full bottles of beer and hard liquor from the bar stock and thrown them as weapons at each other during the melee.

On duty Police officers on the grounds at the time were focused on the largest concentration of persons who were assembled on the field in preparation for the end of match prize presentation ceremony, which was about to commence. Once officers became aware of the disturbance, they proceeded to that area and were assisted by off duty officers in apprehending four men, who were actively involved in the disturbance.

Efforts were also made to apprehend several other persons who were involved in the disturbance, but the officers were obstructed and assaulted by some of the suspects.   

The Police Support Unit and Community Action Teams set up vehicle checks under Section 315F of the Criminal Code in the area of the Swing Bridge and also at the western end of the Causeway soon after order was restored, with a view to apprehending and seizing potential evidence from fleeing suspects, who were identified as being actively involved in the melee.

Road checks were also set up in other locations in the St. George’s , resulting in eighteen arrests for the following offences:-

• One for Assault On Police
• Six for Possession Of Controlled Drugs
• Six for Warrants
• Four for Affray and Disorderly Conduct
• One for Offensive Words

On behalf of the Bermuda Police Service I would like to apologize to all those members of the public who were inconvenienced on the route out of St. George’s during the vehicle check exercise which was conducted in an effort to apprehend those suspects who had fled the scene.

The Cup Match event is one of the oldest organized events on our social calendar and is of great significance to the island’s heritage. This underscores why the Bermuda Police Service takes this disturbance so seriously as there were thousands of law abiding citizens, including seniors who have been attending this event for over half a century as well as children who were put in fear. These individuals are intent on destroying the quality of life that we have come to know and expect on our island. We would like to make it clear that this behaviour will not be tolerated in public and the offenders will be arrested and put before the courts.

As a result an investigation into this matter was immediately commenced by a team of officers from the Eastern Criminal Investigation Unit and the Serious Crimes Unit. Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels of the Serious Crimes Unit is coordinating this investigation. The Senior Investigation Officer is Inspector Calvin Smith of Southside Police Station.

A number of witness statements have been recorded and the investigation has been further enhanced with some photographs which were made available to investigators. We are aware that there were several persons at the scene taking photos or recording video footage. We are appealing to these persons to make themselves known to investigators in order to assist in the identification of all persons involved in the disturbance.

Presently there are 6 men in Police custody and it is anticipated that number will increase as investigations progress. A file will be presented to the DPP for advice on charges and Court appearances.

As a result of this incident, investigators wish to make the following appeals.

• Any persons who were inside or just outside the St. George’s Cricket Club bar area when this incident commenced
• Any persons who witnessed any of the fighting whether inside or outside the club house
• Any persons who were taking any photographs or recording video footage, or
• Any persons with any information whether they believe it to be important or not are asked to contact Inspector Calvin Smith at telephone number 293-2222 or the confidential Crime Stoppers telephone number; 1-800 623-8477

In conclusion, it is incumbent on all citizens of this country to do their part in eliminating the hooliganism that has become pervasive on our island.

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