Some of the “old-timers” living in Inghams Vale still remember the days when the area was known as the Key West of Bermuda.

Home to a quintet of families — the Inghams, the Robinsons, the Dyers, the Dillas’s and the Kings — everyone got along well in the quiet neighbourhood.

But the peace and tranquility of yesteryear has been shattered in the last week by two incidents where gunfire has rung out late at night and left residents feeling disturbed and scared.

“This kind of thing has never happened here before,” Renee Robinson, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, told The Royal Gazette.

“We have no idea who has moved in up the street but we have seen a big increase in the amount of traffic going up there of late.

“What has happened has really upset the residents. To hear the sound of gun shots in your neighbourhood is pretty scary and I don’t think anyone can really believe it has happened. It’s ridiculous really.

“This used to be a quiet neighbourhood where everyone was family. It would seem that is not that case any more and that is very sad.”

The first incident took place late last Wednesday and was thought to involve two men on a motorcycle; the second was in the early hours of Sunday morning. Two people have been arrested in relation to the incidents.

Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes said officers feared further incidents may occur where innocent people may be injured “by criminals seemingly intent on sending someone a message”.

Mrs Robinson added: “The Police have really been on the ball on this. I have seen a noticeable increase in their presence in the area as well the use of unmarked cars.

“They are doing their bit but place does not feel the same.”

Her son, Dean Robinson, added: “It’s been scary for a lot of the people living here. It affects everyone from visitors, to long-term residents and young people.

“I live right by the road and I heard the guys on the bike fly passed my house after the first shooting incident. And for them to come back again a few days later shows a really worrying boldness.”

Pembroke West Central MP David Burt previously said that one of the senior citizens he spoke to in the area was “scared to death” and didn’t want to leave her house because of the incidents.

Derek Ingham, who has lived in Inghams Vale all his life, branded the latest spate of gunfire “shocking, upsetting and pathetic”.

“This used to be known as the Key West of the Island to some of the old-timers where everyone was family and got on; we even had our own football team,” he said.

“We have never heard of anything like this happening before. Years ago this area was home to just a small group of families, but now that has all changed.

“A lot of the properties up the top of the road are rented and we are strangers to each other.”