White Hill community leader Senator Marc Bean yesterday attacked the "vain glory" culture of Bermuda's gangs — and called for parents to take more responsibility.

Sen. Bean — whom himself has tried to improve the behaviour of wayward White Hill teens — spoke of his anger and disappointment following Saturday night's Elbow Beach party murder of Kellon Hill.

A group of youths were arrested in that area of Sandys hours after the stabbing of the 18-year-old and theft of his gold chain. As of press time last night nobody had been charged.

Police have warned that people are increasingly being targeted by gangs attempting to steal their jewellery.

Sen. Bean, the president of Somerset Bridge Recreation Club, told The Royal Gazette of gang problems which have blighted not just White Hill but the whole Island.

The Progressive Labour Party Senator said: "There is a culture in Bermuda among young people which is materialistic, influenced by pop culture and the media and other factors.

"It's a vain glory concept to have things like chains around your neck and it's more about acceptance and ego.

"The parents must shoulder some responsibility. This younger generation is morally lost. I'm not blaming anyone but the youth of today are the seeds of this adult generation.

"The generation between 35 and 50 need to stop sleeping and take responsibility.

"If the youth of today are manifesting a behaviour that shows the lack of a moral compass it is because the adults of today are lacking their own moral rudder.

We are experiencing the proverbial 'gaining the world and losing our soul'.

"What the youth need are the simple intangible things: love, understanding, communication and most importantly discipline. Spare the rod, spoil the child.

"You can't get love out of something that is not alive, like cell phones, toys and other things, so parents need to start paying attention to their children and stop using these devices as substitutes for parenthood.

"You cannot offer what you do not possess. If you want to help today's youth build strength through love, communication and discipline and for them to move away from materialism and selfishness, then we as adults need to practise these principles ourselves in our own lives. Discipline of the mind is the basic ingredient for genuine morality and therefore spiritual strength."

Describing the gang culture, he said: "They are a group of 14- to 19-year-olds who over the last couple of years have become anti-social and it's something the community, Police and Members of Parliament have become aware of.

"I'm not about to point blame at anyone but there are a lot of factors involved. There are people, even myself, who have tried to reach out to the youths to change their ways.

"Some older people have been working with them and tolerating them but they can be disrespectful to adults."

Giving his condolences to the Hill family, he continued: "What words can I say, whether a politician or not, to console their current and future grief?

"All I can say is that I'll pray that the Lord will give them strength to persevere through what is a most unbearable time. My deepest condolences."

Asked what can be done to stop the violence, Sen. Bean replied: "Unfortunately through their actions this weekend they have stopped themselves by taking someone's life.

"That lifestyle that some of the youths have chosen has two roads: to be locked up in a cell or six feet under. And on that road you're going to take innocent people with you."