Their image of Bermuda shattered forever, mugging victims Dr. Ernest and Marie Doherty have sent a desperate plea to the Island: Stop pretending crime does not exist.

The American couple -- who have been to Bermuda 21 times -- have now called for better protection for holidaymakers.

And they have urged travel agents, hotel managers and cottage colonies to warn visitors about crime black spots.

"It is unlikely we will ever visit Bermuda again,'' they say in a letter to The Royal Gazette . "We do not desire to return to a vacation area where the chances of personal assault and robbery are ever increasing.'' They add: "In general our impression is that the populace is just trying to pretend that the drug problem and crime do not exist.'' The letter, which supports Police Commissioner Colin Coxall's shake-up of the Force, has been copied to Tourism Minister David Dodwell and the US Consulate General.

The realisation that times had changed on their holiday paradise was brought home to the couple at about 6.45 p.m. on November 29 -- in the most horrifying way.

After dining at M.R. Onions, they were assaulted and robbed by two muggers while walking down Par-La-Ville Road to Front Street.

"It was a terrifying experience,'' they recall in their letter.

The couple have nothing but praise for the "helpful and understanding'' attitude of Police, taxi drivers, Airport officials and staff at the Rosemont Guest Apartments, where they were staying.

But their experience at the end of a ten-day holiday confirmed the growing impression Bermuda faced major problems -- and the need for the Police Service to modernise itself.

"We are certainly aware of the drug problem and crime that is occurring in Bermuda. We read about it in the local papers every day.'' They add: "We know this is not a perfect world. However, we believe that the initiatives as set forth by Commissioner Colin Coxall (`Service Strategy') are some important first steps in controlling the problem.

"The Police Department is in need of modernisation. We observed Det. Sean T.

Field-Lament take down our statements in long hand. "Civilianisation of various departments will free up more personnel for patrols etc.

"It was astounding to read that Bermuda has no vessel(s) capable of patrolling Bermuda territorial waters.'' The couple, from Yorktown, Virginia, point out they have been visiting Bermuda since 1957.

"We have visited other islands in the Caribbean but we have always thought Bermuda was the most beautiful and most enjoyable vacation spot of all.

"We even established a savings account in the Bank of Bermuda.'' The letter continues: "Times passes and the intensity of the robbery and assault is gradually subsiding.

"What remains is a genuine feeling of sadness and bewilderment that such a beautiful vacation spot like Bermuda is becoming a vacation spot where the problems of drugs and crime are destroying and threatening its very existence.'' The couple call on Government to be "aggressive and positive'' in its effort to control these problems.

"We also believe that travel agents, hotel managers, and cottage-guest apartment owners should recognise the crime problems, and simply inform tourists to avoid certain streets and areas, especially during the night-time hours.''