A spate of high profile criminal trials in the past year, growing public concern over the spread of drug abuse and a recent increase the number of muggings and burglaries all mean that crime is set to be a key issue in the forefront of voters minds when they go to the polls on November 9.

So what strategies have the main parties developed in order to tackle crime and make the Island a safer place? Will the parties respective positions on crime affect the way people vote? Since becoming Minister for Public Safety and Home Affairs in the last Cabinet reshuffle earlier this year, Hamilton West MP Maxwell Burgess has continued to oversee a number of new crime prevention initiatives.

Community Policing is at the foundation of Government's policy to tackle crime and it is an initiative that the new Minister is enthusiastically pushing through.

This means that the Police will be more readily accessible and far more visible working closer with communities.

There are plans to increase the number of bobbies on the beat by moving officers away from desk jobs and Government is also desperate to recruit more officers. A mobile police substation, which will allow officers to quickly set up a Police presence at crime hot spots, has already been purchased and a second is on the way soon.

"In the old days you had a Police Force where orders came from the top down,'' Mr. Burgess said.

"But, going into the 21st century what we need to have is a Police Service with the emphasis on service, where you begin to service the community in which you operate. You need to go and find out what the concerns of that community are. There is more involvement from the rank and file of the service and more input the communities. You see that now through the formation of the consultative committees.

"We are also looking at setting up senior and youth groups to get their input and to address their concerns.

"It's working. We are beginning to see some great results and it's no coincidence that we have had a major breakthrough in the drugs trade.

"We are also seeing the final stage of the civilianisation programme to allow those officers to get out on the beat.

"The force is still not up to its full strength of 432. There have been resignations and retirements but moral is reasonably good. There are some concerns but I am cognisant to them and we will work them out. We have to get the strength up to make sure that we lift the burden from them. That has been budgeted -- he money's there, we just need the people.'' "Crime levels on the Island are not bad but that does not mean I am complacent. You don't stay ahead by standing still and we have to make sure we do all we can to make sure that crime doesn't get bad.

"But it's getting back to the community Policing issue. I appreciate the public's concerns and their sense of commitment because everyone needs to be a Policeman, policing their communities -- that's incumbent on everyone.

"We have also taken a great deal of advice from the Police. They're the experts.

"I think the Government's record and its commitment to insure that we have a first class Police Service speaks for itself and we will continue that commitment going forward, be it through manpower or the question of physical plant. That is indicative of our commitment to making sure that we give the Police Service what it requires so that the Island can be properly policed.

"That doesn't mean that form time to time we don't have our challenges but I would compare our track record against anywhere else in the world.

"I think that under the present circumstances, we now have a team of men and women dedicated to combating crime in Bermuda and we also have a more willing population to support that team. We believe that's the best approach to fighting crime.

"We have recently busted two major drugs rings which have cut off between 25 and 50 percent of the drugs coming into the Island. That's no mean feat by any standard and our Police service should be commended.'' The Government is determined to ensure that the Police Service is fully staffed and wants to develop a criminal justice and law enforcement degree course at Bermuda. Financial incentives will also be offered to all Bermuda College graduates who go on to join the Service.

"I have every reason to believe that the service appreciates that the Government is aware of what is required to give a first class Police Service and is dedicated to doing that,'' Mr. Burgess said.

"The search is also on and well on its way to finding a Bermudian replacement to take over from Commissioner Lemay when his contract expires.'' Government also plans a review of all aspects of the current court system has been promised in conjunction with the legal profession in a bid to produce a judicial system that is more"client-sensitive''. The review will also consider the implementation of a three judge panel to replace juries in some special cases.

The Opposition PLP, like the Government, has spent a great deal of time listening to the recommendations and concerns of senior Police officers and it is therefore not surprising that their key policies are similar to the Government's.

But Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott believes there are several key areas where the two parties differ.

While he also believes that community policing, first instigated by former Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, should be at the bedrock of any strategy in the war on crime, he argues that the PLP is in a far better position to gain the cooperation of the public.

"The disadvantage that the Government has is that it is still seen as part of the establishment,'' Mr. Scott said.

"A PLP Government would continue the process of community policing but there's a significant difference between the two parties as it relates to carrying out the programme.

"We are not criticising the Government and I am sure they are well intentioned but, once you get behind the slogan you have to ask what do they bring to the table,'' Mr. Scott said.

"We have an advantage over the Government in that the Government is seen as the establishment -- people see the Government as `them' rather than `us' and if people feel hard done by they are less prepared to help. We believe the PLP will get greater cooperation from the public in the fight against crime.'' Mr. Scott also argues that social and educational programmes put forward by other Government departments will have to be developed in a bid to stop youngsters being press ganged into the underworld.

"We did a study and there is a strong indication that young innocents are being recruited by a hard core of criminals,'' he said.

"There are several programmes that don't come under the Police authority, social and educational programmes that will give the youth viable options other than getting caught up in crime.

A better contract for officers, including a possible improved wage deal, was also hinted at by Mr. Scott in a bid to attract more people to the service.

Although he would not go into detail on how this would be funded, he said that savings could be made in other areas to give the Police more cash.

And, like his opposite number, Mr. Scott claimed that the PLP also has the full backing of Police Commissioner Lemay.

"We have worked very closely and successfully with Commissioner Lemay,'' he said.

"Myself and Jennifer Smith were invited up to Police Headquarters and it was a very informative and enlightening experience. I have had conversations and advice from him and ours has been the best of relationships.

"What we are seeing is a conceptual approach. The Government is there to facilitate and to put forward suggestions but it is then up to the Commissioner to say whether they are useful or not useful.

Mr. Scott also dismissed claims by Mr. Burgess that the Opposition would undermine Police confidence by being soft on crime.

"Those involved in crime will get no comfort from the PLP,'' he said.

"They will be identifies and brought before the courts and, if found guilty will be incarcerated. But rehabilitation will also be a prominent plank.'' Another PLP initiative will be to forge closer links between the emergency services and Bermuda Regiment to form a security force to operate in emergencies.

And Mr. Scott also said he was "horrified'' by the Government's announcement that they are considering replacing juries with a panel of judges in certain trials.

"They are talking about taking away the concept of being tried by your peers -- something that every democratic system that we pattern ourselves on has,'' Mr. Scott said.

The planned judicial revue is something that also concerns lawyer and Independent candidate Phil Perinchief.

Mr. Perinchief, standing in Pembroke West, said: "I think a move towards the abolition of juries represents a right wing shift in the executive arm of government.

"But I would like to see a total revamping of the legal aid system which could perhaps be replaced by a public defender system.''