St George’s MP Kenneth Bascome has renewed his calls for a permanent police presence and station in the town after staff at Butterfield Bank were robbed at gunpoint.

The former mayor told The Royal Gazette that he had reiterated his concerns to Premier Michael Dunkley and Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva in the wake of Tuesday’s armed raid.

He said there was a pressing need to address the situation, especially due to the extra influx of visitors to the town during the summer months.

“What has happened only adds credence to the call for a fully functioning police apparatus in the town,” Mr Bascome said.

“People may say I have been quiet on this but the Premier will say that at every opportunity I have voiced my concerns about this issue with him.

“I have also spoken with the Commissioner of Police. We need a fully functioning police apparatus and by this I mean vehicles, police officers on the beat and a police station.

“The reason why I say this is because particularly in the summer we have a designated ferry bringing visitors from Dockyard, several minibuses and taxis coming into the town, not to mention the many visitors who come by moped.

“We also have a resident population that is constantly telling me of the need for this permanent police presence.”

Tuesday’s armed robbery at Butterfield Bank also prompted Progressive Labour Party senator Renee Ming to call for a fully functioning police station in the town.

She said: “Even if there is to be no police station within the town, there must be a strong police presence to meet the needs of the old town and as a potential deterrent to crimes of this magnitude.”

Mr Bascome added: “I believe that the mere sight of police deters people from criminal activity.

“It’s highly unfortunate that an incident of this magnitude has to occur before the general populace has to put credence to things I have been saying all along.

“I have been clear with the Premier of the value of a permanent police apparatus but it is not up to me.

“I will continue to state that this is a World Heritage site and should we be successful in securing a designated cruise ship, and should we be successful in having a concrete proposal for the vacant hotel site, we will need around-the-clock policing.”

A 39-year-old man was arrested soon after the bank robbery, but he has since been released on police bail pending further investigations.

The St George’s MP praised staff at the bank for the professional way they dealt with the traumatic event.

“My prayers and thoughts go out to the staff at the bank who had to deal with this traumatic event and I would like to compliment them on the professionalism they showed,” he said.