Violent crime is at its highest point in seven years following an increase in attacks by gangs and individuals across Bermuda.

Statistics released yesterday show there were 93 violent crimes in the last three months of 2006 ? more than the corresponding figures for each of the previous six years. Last year, the number was 70, while in 2004 it was 78.

Police yesterday called for witnesses ? and victims ? to help officers tackle criminals by bucking a trend of keeping "silent" over assaults.

They said so many people are afraid to speak to officers after assaults it is hampering their efforts to bring offenders to justice.

Officers blamed the figures on a small group of "persistent offenders" who are responsible for a large amount of violent crime.

There were 23 assaults causing grievous bodily harm between last October and December ? more than double last year's figure of nine ? and 20 sexual assaults, up from 16 last year.

A further 17 wounding incidents took place, compared to 12 in the same period in 2005.

Announcing the results at a press conference, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams said there was little officers could do to prevent some violent crimes such as assaults, wounding and robberies.

"Crimes of violence are slightly up on the third quarter," he said. "In fact, there is a significant increase on the same period of 2005.

"One of the things about violence is that Police cannot do very much to prevent those types of crime since they sometimes involve people in domestic issues; sometimes it's between two individuals or between gangs.

"These are things we can only react to."

Mr. Adams pointed to a report in earlier this week, which stated a man was jailed for five years after breaking his ex-girlfriend's father's hip with a plank of wood.

A court had heard how the offender, 25-year-old Michael Jones, carried out the attack after his relationship with his partner soured.

"There's a tendency throughout the community, not just by people who are in gangs, for violent reaction," said Mr. Adams.

"It's not just the gangs, it's the individuals. For example, I read in the paper about a man attacking somebody with a plank of wood. It's that kind of behaviour that is contributing to the overall picture of violence."

There were two murders, three serious assaults on Police officers and two firearm offences in the last quarter of 2006. In the corresponding spell last year, no incidents of this type were recorded.

The number of robberies remained relatively high at 25, one down from the previous year but up on every other year since 2000. Police say most robberies happened in the City of Hamilton, when offenders approached victims and demanded money.

Mr. Adams said it was vital that victims and witnesses helped with Police investigations.

"There's a perception among some segments of the community that to assist the Police is not a good thing to do," he said.

"There may be some who are indifferent, there are those who may be afraid for their safety if they help Police.

"There's a tendency when an incident takes place for a call to be made to the Police, we arrive within minutes and it's clear there's been some form of disturbance. We ask if anyone wants to make a report, and usually there's silence. No-one speaks. The crowd disappears.

"Or we go to hospital to speak to the victim and they don't want to make a report.

"We hit an obstruction when that happens."

Asked whether more officers would be placed on the beat, Mr. Adams replied: "As the weather gets warmer, and more people are about, we generally increase our presence at night, particularly on the streets. That's something we will be doing again this year."

He also called for people to take more care to avoid making themselves victims of crime.

"There are scores of vulnerable individuals, some of whom wander down streets on their own after clubs finish and are victimised," he said. "We can't be in every place at once. Whenever we are protecting someone, someone else is unprotected."

Acting Det. Insp. Peter Brentano, Bermuda Police Service's crime manager, said: "A small group of persistent offenders in the community are committing a disproportionately large amount of crime.

"Analysis shows the motivating factor for committing robberies is to fuel their drug addiction. Assaults in general are linked both to gang activity and anti-social behaviour.

"This quarter reflects the highest incidents of reported violent crime over the seven-year reporting period. Of particular concern is the numbers of incidents of assault, wounding and sexual assault, all of which are higher."

Figures for assaults causing grievous bodily harm, sexual assault and robbery were also up on the statistics for the previous three months, July to September 2006.

Incidents in the last few weeks of 2006 include a late-night attack shortly after Christmas on a 21-year-old man in Fagan's Alley, in the City of Hamilton. The victim suffered bruises and swelling to his face and was taken to hospital.

In late November, also in the Fagan's Alley area, a 20-year-old man was stabbed twice in the back of the head during an altercation while, earlier that month, a Front Street bouncer had to be taken to hospital after he was headbutted by a reveller.

In another November incident, a 19-year-old female motorcyclist was punched unconscious after two men on bikes forced her to pull over in Devonshire.

Shadow Minister of Public Safety, Michael Dunkley, said the Government needed to increase the size of the force and the sentences for violent crime.

He said: "We need the Government to get serious about this issue. We need the more Police so that they can patrol the Island and be a visible presence. The Police we now have need better equipment.

"We need to improve the criminal justice system and prosecute people to the fullest extent of the law. At the moment criminals believe they can do what they want and get away with it.

"If they do get prosecuted it's a cushy sentence.

"Everyone is talking about the issue while the community is suffering from all the crime and something needs to be done."