shattered over the weekend when at least half a dozen homes were broken into.

Residents in 12 condominiums at Rockaway Estate in Southampton awoke Saturday morning to find their homes had either been broken into or attempts had been made to gain entry.

Among the victims were former national cricket captain Mr. Arnold Manders who had his car and $50 stolen from his house, and a Police officer who yesterday declined to comment.

Mr. Manders, whose car was found yesterday parked outside of Addiction Services on Victoria Street, said his home was broken into between 1 and 6 a.m. on Saturday as he and his wife and two young children slept.

The intruder made off with his wife's purse, which contained $50 and car keys among other items, and the car.

"My wife and daughter have been sick,'' Mr. Manders said. "It was the first night in a while that we had a good sleep.

"The person is lucky I did not awake, I'm usually a light sleeper.'' Mr. Manders, who had never had his home broken into before, said it was obvious that the offences were drug-related.

"We will definitely be stepping up security,'' he added.

And one of Rockaway's first residents, Mr. Ivan Smith, said the break-ins would force all in the area to reconsider a neighbourhood watch programme.

Mr. Smith, who moved into Bermuda's largest condominium complex shortly after it was completed in 1984, said it was the first time he had heard of break-ins in that area.

"When we first moved up there we were going to organise a neighbourhood watch,'' he said. "But everyone felt secure. It was felt there was no need for it.

"We will probably have to reconsider that now.'' Mr. Smith said Rockaway, which has just one entrance, was only patrolled by Police at Hallowe'en and Christmas because they were the only times when a large number of people visited the area.

He said residents usually knew those who belonged in the area and would look out for each other.

But with more of the homes becoming rental properties, there were new faces in the area.

Chairman of the Rockaway Corporation, Det. Con. Richard Flood could not be reached for comment.

But Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale said the break-ins and attempted break-ins were all under investigation by CID in Somerset.

And Police urged anyone with information to contact Det. Sgt. Steve Shaw at 234-1010.