Tue, 2024-10-01

Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Support Division - By design, it was hoped that increased traffic enforcement through Operation Vega, would have had an impact on road traffic collisions (RTCs) and reduced the number of traffic offences.

However, this has not proven to be the case, with between 4 and 6 RTCs being reported daily and reported traffic offences increasing.

The majority of RTCs are single vehicle, followed by RTCs involving two or more vehicles. The causes of collisions are often avoidable. Unfortunately, most vehicle collisions are due to unsafe driving and riding habits like inattention, speeding and driving without due care and attention. Lower speeds mean fewer collisions while reaction times are increased, if traveling at a lower speed.

Impaired driving is also a significant cause of collisions. Impaired driving numbers continue at a high rate. Individuals who engage in this practice risk not only their own lives, but the lives of every other road user as well. The culture of impaired driving in Bermuda is an unfortunate situation that policing alone will not get rid of. If you have been drinking, do not drive or ride. Road safety must be taken seriously and all road users must take responsibility for their driving behaviour.

Cellular phone use while driving remains a common offence. Using a cellular phone while operating a vehicle is a distraction and the signs are clear when a person does this. These include suddenly swerving, travelling at a very low rate of speed and disobeying traffic signs and signals. If you are driving, put the phone down. This is a simple undertaking. If your phone rings and you must answer the call, pull over to the side of the road in a safe place to take the call.

The Bermuda Police Service remains steadfast in its mission to make Bermuda safer. This includes on the roads.  To prevent a collision slow down, always drive sober, do not drive when stressed or tired, put your phone down and please wear your seatbelt and fasten your helmet.

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Tue, 2024-10-01

In recent weeks, there have been a number of reports of cars being stolen from locations across the island.

Prevention and deterrence are the best advice for all motor vehicle owners to adhere in order to not become a victim of vehicular theft.

The Bermuda Police Services advises that you implement, where possible, the following measures to prevent against falling victim to vehicle theft.

Keeping your doors locked is the first step in deterring a thief. It's good to get into the habit of double-checking that your vehicle's windows and doors are closed before leaving your car unattended.

Never leave your keys in the ignition and also, do not leave your car running, even if you're just going into a store for a quick errand. A running vehicle may be an easy target for a thief, especially if it is unattended or unlocked.

Keep your windows closed completely. A thief can simply reach into your car through an open window taking what they can reach or unlocking the door to gain full access to your vehicle and everything in it.

If you can, avoid parking in areas that are poorly lit or places that are not immediately seen by passers-by. Parking under a light and in a well-trafficked area, may be deter a thief if they know they can easily be seen.

It is recommended that you install an audible alarm system, if your car did not come with one. The noise emitted by an audible alarm if someone attempts to enter the vehicle, often the car's horn, attracts attention that may chase off a potential thief.

If your car is stolen, contact the police immediately.

MOTORCYCLES:

Motorcycles are most frequently taken from car parks around the City of Hamilton but also from residential neighbourhoods.

Typically, motorcycles are stolen for joy riding, stripping of their parts or in some instances, engaging in criminal activity.

Again, always remove keys from the ignition, even if you intend on being away from your bike for only a short time.

Remember to always use a secondary lock, that is, in addition to the handlebar lock.

Where possible, the secondary lock should be used to attach the motorcycle to a fixed object.

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Thu, 2024-09-26

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, police, Bermuda Fire and Rescue along with Emergency Medical Services, attended a serious road traffic collision involving a motor car and two motorcycles near the junction of Ord Road and Norden Lane, Paget.

Reports indicate the motorcar driven by a 64-year-old female, exited a private driveway and made a right turn to head east along Ord Road when a collision occurred with a motorcycle ridden by a 28-year-old male traveling in the opposite direction.

The motorcycle rider then collided with a utility pole and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, to the right side of his body.

A second motorcycle ridden by a 20-year-old male also struck the motorcar resulting in minor damage to both vehicles.

Neither the motorcar driver nor the rider of the second motorcycle appeared to have been injured.

The roadway was closed to vehicular traffic for approximately two hours while the collision scene was processed.

The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during this temporary road closure.

An investigation into this incident is now underway and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Jonathan Wood on 515-2157 or, via email, jwood@bps.bm. You may also call the main police number 295-0011 or, the non-emergency reporting number, 211.

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Thu, 2024-09-26

The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank those members of the public who have so far come forward in relation to the firearms incident which occurred on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Quarry Hill Road Warwick and which left a 48-year-old male with gunshot wounds.

While a suspect has been arrested, the investigation into that matter remains ongoing and we continue to appeal for anyone with information to get in contact with us.

We urge you to do so by calling the investigating officer Detective Sergeant, Anneka Donawa, on 717-2250 or via email, adonawa@bps.bm. You may also contact Detective Chief Inspector, Derricka Burns, on 717-0921 or via email, dburns@bps.bm.

Alternatively, call 211 or, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. Of course, if you’d prefer, please share the information with a police officer you know, or, get the information to us by using the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

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Wed, 2024-09-25

The rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with a tractor trailer truck around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton, remains hospitalised.

The injured man, believed to be a 67-year-old Sandys parish resident, is understood to be recovering with non-life threatening injuries.

Inquiries regarding this collision continue.

Any witnesses that have not already come forward, are now encouraged to call Constable Jamieko Smith on 211, or e-mail jamieko.smith@bps.bm.

Alternatively, members of the public with relevant information can share it through the Bermuda Police Service community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm, or by speaking with a police officer they know.

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Tue, 2024-09-24

Reported Armed Robbery

Around 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, police responded to a reported armed robbery at Mr. Chicken Express on Watlington Road East, Devonshire.

On arrival officers were informed that a man had forced his way into the establishment through a back door and brandished a knife before removing a draw containing a quantity of cash from the cash register.

The suspect made good his escape on a black motorcycle. He was last seen at the junction of Upland Street and Middle Road, where he made a right turn and rode off in an easterly direction.

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male, approximately 6’ 4” in height, slim built, wearing dark coloured clothing and a black helmet with a dark visor.

An investigation into this matter is now underway and anyone with information or who may have been in the area of Watlington Road East, Upland Street or Middle Road, Devonshire, between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday September 20, 2024 and witnessed any suspicious persons or suspicious activity, to please contact Detective Constable Zaakira Lee, of the Criminal Investigations Unit, on 515-2551 or, via email, zlee@bps.bm. You may also contact Acting Detective Sergeant Assad Akle on 515–2547 or aakle@bps.bm.

If you’d prefer, please call 211, the main police number, 295-0011 or, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.

Alternatively, you are encouraged to provide the information by speaking with a police officer you know or, via the police community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Reported Stabbing

Shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Police attended a report of a male at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), seeking treatment for an apparent stab wound.

On arrival, officers spoke with the 25-year-old victim who stated that sometime between 9:00 pm and 9:15 p.m. on the said date, he was in the area of Glebe Road, Pembroke, when he was assaulted by a group of individuals.

During the incident, he suffered an injury to his upper torso and was transported to KEMH, where he was attended to for his injury which was deemed non-life-threatening. At last check he remained at the hospital under observation, on a general ward.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the main police number, 295-0011 or 211.

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Mon, 2024-09-23

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can confirm that over the last twelve months, a total of 12 firearms and quantities of ammunition have been seized by officers.

Forensic examinations on these firearms have confirmed their use in crimes that are currently under investigation. Ballistic tests on a number of these firearms, have linked their use to multiple incidents. Ongoing investigations have resulted in the arrests of a number of suspects, as demonstrated earlier today with a 42 year old man being charged before the courts for firearm possession.

The seizure of these firearms has at the very least prevented the commission of serious acts of criminality and prevented possible serious injury. More importantly, prevented any potential loss of life.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Antoine Daniels, said – “The BPS wish to thank those individuals who have so far come forward to provide information which has assisted in the removal of these dangerous weapons from our streets, thereby making our communities that much safer. Your courage in providing such information is to be applauded and has proven invaluable in our ongoing efforts to rid our island home of this scourge.”

“However, we remain concerned that there are still illegal firearms out there, which the criminal element continues to seek opportunities to use to further their nefarious activity.”

Mr. Daniels asserted, “I am confident in the belief that with the continuing partnership between the community and your Bermuda Police Service, there will be further successes of this nature. Again, thank you for your assistance and let’s continue to strengthen this relationship, in which we all seek to make Bermuda safer.”

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms is urged to contact, Police calling the main police number, 295-0011.You may also call 211, speak with another officer you know or use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

Alternatively, we encourage you to call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. You could earn a reward of up to $5,000 for providing the information.

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Mon, 2024-09-23

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to urge residents, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant regarding online scams and phone scams.

In three recently reported incidents, one local senior citizen was apparently contacted through Facebook, while two other local senior citizens are understood to have received random phone calls. Combined, the three senior citizens involved reportedly were defrauded of approximately $685,000.

It is believed that the senior citizen contacted via social media received a message that appeared to come from someone known to them, containing specific instructions. Purchase Apple gift cards, photograph the back with the redemption code visible and send the pictures to an e-mail address provided in the message.

The two senior citizens that received unsolicited phone calls were led to believe the caller was a local bank employee contacting them because their accounts had been compromised. In one instance, it was reported that the senior citizen was persuaded to give the caller their bank information. In the other, it was reported that the senior citizen was persuaded to allow the caller remote access to their computer.

All of these scenarios are tactics regularly used by scammers to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

Renewed Practical Scam Prevention Advice

Avoid social media messages with instructions to redeem gift cards or send cash.

Don’t install any computer software recommended by an unknown caller.

Hang up on callers who ask for personal or bank information and either call the specific business to confirm if there is a problem, or contact the police for advice.

Check your bank account(s) regularly for any unusual activity.

Report any suspected fraud to the relevant bank and the police immediately.

Family members and friends are once again urged to speak with their senior citizen relatives about how to avoid being defrauded, as seniors are often targeted by swindlers.

To make a police report regarding suspected fraud, please call 211, or visit the BPS community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm/.

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Mon, 2024-09-23

Around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, police officers responded to a reported two vehicle collision at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton.

Early information indicates that a tractor trailer truck driven in the eastbound lane of Middle Road turned onto South Road, at the same time as a motorcycle ridden behind the tractor trailer truck along Middle Road also turned onto South Road, in the vicinity of Barnes Corner.

The male motorcyclist was hurt and transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment of potentially serious injuries.

An update on his medical condition is anticipated in due course.

Police officers are currently directing motorists in the Barnes Corner area, to assist with traffic flow.

However, road users travelling through the Middle Road, South Road Southampton junction should expect some traffic delays, while the collision scene is being processed.

Any witnesses to this collision, or members of the public with relevant information, are encouraged to call 211, use the Bermuda Police Service community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm, or speak with a police officer they know.

Update: Wednesday, 25th September - The rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with a tractor trailer truck around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton, remains hospitalised.

The injured man, believed to be a 67-year-old Sandys parish resident, is understood to be recovering with non-life threatening injuries.

Inquiries regarding this collision continue.

Any witnesses that have not already come forward, are now encouraged to call Constable Jamieko Smith on 211, or e-mail jamieko.smith@bps.bm.

Alternatively, members of the public with relevant information can share it through the Bermuda Police Service community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm, or by speaking with a police officer they know.

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Fri, 2024-09-20

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the firearms incident which occurred on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Quarry Hill Road Warwick and which left a 48-year-old male with gunshot wounds.

The suspect, a 42-year-old male was arrested as police today executed a warrant at a residence in Warwick.

Items liable for seizure were also recovered at the scene.

The investigation into this shooting remains ongoing and we are urging persons with information in relation to this matter to contact Detective Chief Inspector Derricka Burns on 717-0921 or via email, dburns@bps.bm. You may also contact Detective Sergeant Anneka Donawa on 717-2250 or adonawa@bps.bm.

Alternatively, you may call 211 or, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. You may also speak with another officer you know or use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

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