Police have so far drawn a blank on the ride-by shooting in Warwick last week.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton said ten officers were working on the investigation into the incident at The Swizzle on South Shore which put one man in hospital after shots were fired at a group of men on a grass verge.

Police are still unsure who was the intended victim of the attempted killing launched by a gunman on the back of a motor cycle.

Mr. Horton said: "The investigation team continues to work late into the night to identify the offenders, to date, however, the Police have no evidence to link a particular suspect to the crime."

Public shock about the shooting was justified, said Mr. Horton, but he pointed out there had been only one firearm offence in the second quarter of 2006 compared to nine that same time last year.

However, he said there had been a disturbing increase in opportunistic crime, including house-breakings and cycle thefts with criminals using the stolen bikes for further criminal activity.

Meanwhile a task force of officers from the Police Support Unit, Violent Crime and Traffic Enforcement Team is tackling the spate of handbag snatches and burglaries.

Mr. Horton said: "I am pleased to advise that three prolific offenders have been arrested and are currently in custody."

And he said the tourist crime unit, set up in late May to patrol beaches and cruise ship terminals, has made three arrests.

Responding to concerns about the lack of visible Police officers, Mr. Horton said officers could be deployed anywhere when there was a need but he admitted the force was 40 officers below full strength.

Overseas and local recruitment drives are being run, said Mr. Horton, and Government is accelerating the renovation of Southside Barracks to accommodate 60 overseas officers.

Confirming the fact that closed circuit cameras were now working in Court Street, Mr. Horton said they were already deterring people from gathering.

Cameras had quickly helped nab suspects for the London bombings last July he said and now Government is planning to extend them through Hamilton and to trouble spots throughout the Island.

The 31-strong Community Policing department was continuing to root out neighbourhood problems said Mr. Horton who revealed Schools Resource Officers were now based inside the schools they were attached to in a bid to maximise links.

Problems they are tackling include bullying, verbal abuse to students and staff, drug sales, vehicle infractions, assaults, fighting and students harassing each other with threatening and abusive text messages.