belonging to local businesses.

They tore down and destroyed two signs at the Bermuda Perfume Factory on Blue Hole Hill. And they wrecked three signs at Tom Moore's Tavern, off Harrington Sound Road.

Owners have estimated the damage caused in the spree at thousands of dollars, and parts of the signs are still missing.

General manager of Tom Moore's Tavern, Mr. Bruno Fiocca described the attacks as "mindless vandalism''.

"I received a phone call in the morning from someone working on my property and I was shocked when I saw the damage,'' said Mr. Fiocca.

"The big sign that is normally on Harrington Sound Road was broken into three parts. I could only find two parts so I cannot repair it.

"I also found two cedar signs had been taken down and broken for no apparent reason. It is just vandalism.'' Mr. Fiocca said that he would not be able to replace the signs for some time, because of the work involved in painting them. He said that the larger sign was worth about $1,000.

"I cannot understand why they have taken that one part of the sign. What use is it to anybody?'' Managing Director of the Perfumery, Mr. Colin Curtis was furious that his signs had been stolen.

"When I arrived, in the morning, two of our signs had been torn down and stolen,'' he said.

"One was recovered, broken, at the Crystal Caves. The other was found near the Mid Ocean Club. I do not know why they wanted them.'' Mr. Curtis said he believed the attack was linked with his complaints over the recently renewed liquor licence at the Enterprise Grocery. He said he believed "local rummies'' had celebrated the victory by carrying out the attacks.

This, however, does not explain the attack on Tom Moore's Tavern which did not oppose the licence.

Thieves, meanwhile, stole a sign from a house in Tankfield, in Paget, with the name "Whistler.'' A Police spokesman said: "This is of no logical use to anyone else. These signs are quite expensive. Someone might have seen it being taken or carried, or might even find it.'' MINDLESS VANDALISM -- Mr. Bruno Fiocca holds the remaining parts of his sign at Tom Moore's Tavern.

SHATTERED SIGN -- Groundskeeper Mr. David Botelho holds the vandalised Bermuda Perfumery sign.