Police will be doubling their strength on the streets this New Year's Eve in an effort to avoid a repeat of last year's riot, has learned.

This year two full-strength Police Support Unit teams will be on patrol and fully equipped to deal with any scenes of public disorder ? unlike last year where more than 300 people were involved in scenes of lawlesness outside Number Six Shed on Front Street.

As well as the 44 PSU officers, all of whom would have undergone riot training in the past month, other extra units will be working out of the Island's East and West End Police stations to quell any potential disturbances.

The PSU, Bermuda Police's elite frontline team, normally consists of just one unit, but extra training will ensure that the force will be doubled this year with two units, each consisting of 18 officers, three sergeants and an inspector, on duty.

"We will be ensuring that we have all our bases covered this year," Police spokesman Dwayne Caines told

"There are going to be celebrations on all parts of the Island, from east to west, and we will be making sure that at all times there will be the highest level of coverage during what we consider to be an occasion where untoward activities are likely to occur.

"One of the key elements in this battle against anti-social behaviour will be high-visibility policing and we would like to serve notice to any would-be hooligans that we will be out in force that night."

Officers from the current PSU unit completed a two-day training course yesterday while other officers, who are to staff the second unit, will take part in a two-day refresher course next week.