National Security Minister Michael Dunkley has hit back at claims of “incompetence” over delays in the setting up of a new crime-fighting CCTV system.

Mr Dunkley was speaking after Mr Scott, PLP national security spokesman, criticised Government for its handling of the installation of the new network, which will see 150 wireless cameras installed across the island.

Mr Dunkley said: “Mr Scott has a short memory — the entire process that led to the recommendations of BAS/SERCO as the service provider for CCTV was initiated, devised and approved by the Cabinet of which he was a member.”

The new more comprehensive system was due to have been up and running by April 1, when the contract with previous provider GET Securities expired.

But Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said on Monday that service had been restored to many areas — with a special focus on known trouble spots.

He added that overseas technicians had now been cleared to work in Bermuda and were expected to arrive by the end of the month to install the wireless network and that once that work was completed, the rest of the cameras could be put up very quickly.

Mr Scott, in a statement, said Government’s handling of the contract was “nothing short of incompetent” and that it “jeopardised the safety of Bermudians.”

And he said the “band aid” approach by Government “would not have been necessary if the company he supported, BAS/SERCO, was up to the task from the start.”

But Mr Dunkley said: “The use and management of CCTV is an operational matter and Mr Scott should not have forgotten that operational matters are the sole remit of the Commissioner of Police.

“This Government respects the Constitutional boundaries between the police and politicians.

“Mr Scott’s cry of ‘incompetence’ indicates that even after voters rejected their philosophy of undue interference he and the PLP are none the wiser.

“The Commissioner’s statement was clear and the community can be assured that this project is being managed properly and CCTV will continue to be available as a preventive and investigative tool for law enforcement.”