Press Releases
Burglaries Update: 12 Arrests, Suspected Stolen Property Recovered
Tue, 2023-10-17
As investigations continue into the spate of smash and grab burglaries, which have impacted a number of businesses across the island, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) wish to remind members of the public, it is a crime to purchase or receive stolen goods.
Read MoreTeen Male Arrested, Suspected Illegal Drugs Seized
Mon, 2023-10-16
An 18-year-old man was arrested and a quantity of suspected illegal drugs recovered by police over the weekend.
Officers conducting traffic checks near the junction of Union Street and Parsons Road, Pembroke, shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, 14th October 2023, signalled a motorcycle rider to stop.
The rider ignored the officers and rode in a dangerous manner along Parsons Road before entering the City of Hamilton.
Officers followed the subject, who made his way to Bulls Head car park, where he abandoned the bike and was eventually arrested, as he attempted to leave the area on foot.
The subject was searched and found to be in possession of several small twists containing suspected cannabis and cannabis resin, a scale, a quantity of cash, as well as a knife.
A subsequent search of the man’s residence resulted in the recovery of a quantity of suspected controlled drugs, drug equipment and cash.
The suspect is expected to appear before the courts in due course.
Two Males Arrested in Connection With Latest P-Tech Burglary
Mon, 2023-10-09
Shortly after 3:45 a.m. on Monday, October 9th, police officers on mobile patrol in the City of Hamilton, were alerted to suspicious activity at the P-Tech Electronics retail store. Officers attended the location and found the front door damaged. A search was made of the immediate area when officers observed a person dressed in dark clothing heading towards Par-La-Ville Park.
The subject got on a motorcycle and fled upon seeing police.
Several units responded and the subject, a 19-year-old male, was eventually arrested and transported to Hamilton Police Station.
A search of Par-La-Ville Park resulted in the arrest of a second suspect, a 28-year-old male, as well as the recovery of several electronic items believed to be stolen during the burglary.
“The BPS continues to work in partnership with the business owners of properties that have been recently targeted.”
“Some of the strategies being explored with the business owners are “Target Hardening” and “Early Notification and Response/Alerts."
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit at 247-1744.
Operation Hallikar: Contraband Seized, Two Arrested
Fri, 2023-10-06
On Thursday, 5th October, 2023, police conducted a joint Operation dubbed, “Operation Hallikar”, with HM Customs.
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) Drugs Unit were called in after Customs Officers intercepted a shipment found to contain the controlled drugs cocaine, with an estimated street value in excess of BDA $180,000.
The BPS, Tactical Division and Drug Unit officers led by Detective Inspector Nidol Barker, later arrested a 40-year-old female, and a 36-year-old man in relation to this matter, and executed search warrants in Southampton Parish.
Acting Detective Superintendent, Sherwin Joseph, the officer currently in charge of the Crime Division stated: “This seizure has prevented a substantial amount of harmful drugs from being distributed into our community. We continue to work collaboratively with Customs, to identify and disrupt the importation and distribution, of illicit drugs on our island."
No further information will be provided at this time. The BPS Drugs Unit continues investigations into this incident.
Addressing Antisocial Behaviour After School in the City of Hamilton
Fri, 2023-10-06
As part of ongoing efforts to address the issue of anti-social behaviour involving schoolchildren in the City of Hamilton, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS), will be working in partnership with the Ministry of Education, private schools and shopkeepers in and around the Washington Mall area of the City of Hamilton with a view to reducing the incidences of anti-social behaviour.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Martin Weekes stated, “the BPS are aware that it is a small minority of students from schools across the island that are causing these problems and not the majority of students or one individual school. We do not wish to be seen to blame all schoolchildren for the behaviour of a few or one school above others. The BPS will be working with all the schools to identify anyone seen on cameras to be committing offences and to put solutions in place.
Meetings are being arranged with the various stakeholders to discuss additional approaches which can be used to bolster measures which are already in place. Measures already implemented include school visits to talk about the avoidance of negative activity, peer mediation involving our dedicated school’ officer, as well as regular foot patrols within the City of Hamilton particularly in areas such as the bus terminal and Washington Mall, where students tend to gather.
The Ministry of Education as well as private school administrators have committed to meetings commencing next week to discuss options available.
However, key to the success of all this is the active involvement of parents. Parents are urged to make every effort to ensure their children are at home within a reasonable time following the dismissal of school and not simply “hanging out” in the city.
We appreciate some students are involved in extra-curricular activities come the end of the school day which may entail being in the city for some period. The focus should still be on ensuring they are out of the city and making their way home in as short a time as circumstances allow.
This is a community issue that we are all charged with addressing.
Let’s work together to ensure success."
Advisory on Proposed Protest
Thu, 2023-10-05
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is aware of a voicemail circulating via WhatsApp promoting acts of violence at a proposed protest against increased electricity costs.
Martin Weekes, Assistant Commissioner of Police, advised: “While the Bermuda Police Service acknowledge the right to protest, we urge that any such action be taken in a peaceful manner. Should the protest materialise, our officers will be on hand to ensure the safety of participants as well as other members of the public.”
“That notwithstanding, anyone engaging in violence or anti-social behaviour before, during or after the event, can expect to be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.”
“While a date and time has not yet been identified for the staging of this protest, the BPS has already begun implementing measures to address and deal with any eventuality which may arise.”
“Again, members of the public will not be prevented from engaging in protest action, but they must do so in a peaceful and lawful manner.”
Inquiries Ongoing After Students’ Anti-Social Behaviour in Washington Mall
Thu, 2023-10-05
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is aware of a video, showing two female students fighting at Washington Mall with other students spectating, circulating on social media and request that members of the public refrain from sharing the video further.
Instead, anyone with relevant information regarding the circumstances or students involved is encouraged to call 211, or provide the information via the BPS community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm/.
The BPS commends the actions of adults in the area that did their best to separate the two female students involved in the altercation and can confirm that this incident took place around 4pm Wednesday, 4th October 2023, after a large group of students from various schools congregated at the City of Hamilton property.
Police officers responded to the location shortly after and dispersed the large group of students.
Inquiries into Wednesday’s display of anti-social behaviour are ongoing and dialogue continues with relevant stakeholders about perennial concerns regarding students congregating in the City of Hamilton after school.
Witness Appeal After Man Robbed & Injured in Sandys Parish
Wed, 2023-10-04
Around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, police responded to a report of a robbery, which occurred in the carpark of Mr. Chicken, Somerset Road, Sandys.
Upon police arrival, it was discovered that a 55-year-old male had been attacked by a group of men, one of them being armed with a knife.
The victim sustained multiple injuries in the attack, including lacerations to his face and arm.
One of the suspects is described as being a tall brown-skinned male, who is alleged to have taken a quantity of jewellery, cash and a mobile phone from the injured man. The other three suspects were dressed in dark clothing.
Following the attack, the four suspects made good their escape in the direction of Cambridge Road.
The victim was assisted by members of the public and later transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance, where at last check, he was receiving treatment for his injuries, which are considered non-life-threatening.
An investigation into the incident has commenced and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable 2594 Dawn Hector, on 515-2594 or via email, dhector@bps.bm.
You may also provide the information to a police officer you know.
Alternatively, we urge you to call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477 or, use the online community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm.
Operation Vega Update: September 2023
Tue, 2023-10-03
Chief Inspector Robert Cardwell, Tactical Operations Division – “Total collisions for the third quarter of 2023 show a reduction of 95 collisions, when compared with the second quarter. The second quarter was down by 23 collisions when compared to the first quarter. These are promising numbers and suggest the total amount of collisions is going in the right direction. Fatal collisions and serious injury collisions continue to be a concern for the Bermuda Police Service (BPS). We continue to encourage all to give your driving or riding your full attention when operating a motor vehicle. Most of all, we encourage all to slow down. The faster you go, the faster you are likely to be involved in a collision.”
Additional Statistics
From 1st January until 1st October 2023, 187 motorists were arrested for impaired driving – 14 in January, 27 in February, 25 in March, 21 in April, 30 in May, 23 in June, 19 in July, 16 in August and 12 in September. In comparison, for the same period in 2022, a total of 173 motorists were arrested for impaired driving.
During September 2023, 318 traffic tickets were issued by the BPS, up from 296 issued during August 2023. In addition, 51 motorist advice notices (official written warnings) were issued in September, down from 73 in August. Parking tickets issued throughout September 2023 totalled 171, down from 281 parking tickets issued in August.
Since the start of Operation Vega (6th July 2021), a total of 11,090 traffic tickets have been issued. The breakdown of ticketed traffic offences for September 2023 is below. The change compared to August 2023 is provided in brackets.
Speeding 171 (+6) Speeds ranged from 55 kph to 89 kph.
Traffic sign 27 (-19)
Unlicensed vehicle 27 (+3)
No third party insurance 23 (+5)
No driver’s licence 37 (+12)
Manner of driving 9 (+6)
Disqualified driver 3 (+1)
Seatbelt 3 (-1)
Helmet 4 (+2)
Handheld device 8 (+4)
Defective vehicle 0 (0)
Fail to give name/address 0 (-2)
Fail to stop 2 (+1)
Fraudulent documents 0 (0)
Making a false statement 0 (0)
License plate offence 1 (+1)
Tint offence 1 (+1)
Youth license offence 0 (0)
Single Vehicle Motorcycle Collision in St. George’s: Rider Seriously Hurt
Tue, 2023-10-03
Around 7:45pm Monday, 2nd October 2023, police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a reported single vehicle motorcycle collision on Southside Road in St. George’s, near the junction with Waller’s Point Road.
It appears that a motorcyclist was travelling along Southside Road when he struck a metal railing.
The rider, understood to be a 53-year-old Southampton man, was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment.
At last check, he had been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit with injuries that were considered to be life threatening.
The scene was processed and the investigation regarding the circumstances of this collision continues.
Any witnesses that have not already come forward are encouraged to call Constable Kristen Desilva-Lawrence on 211, or e-mail kdesilva-lawrence@bps.bm, as soon as possible.
