Police are urging parents not to let their children leave home wearing valuable jewellery which could make them a target to thieves.

Bermuda has seen a surge of gang robberies within the past two years — culminating, it is believed, in the beach party murder of Kellon Hill on Saturday night.

Mr. Hill, 18, is thought to have been stabbed to death as he defended himself after being set upon by troublemakers trying to steal his gold chain necklace in Elbow Beach's public entrance, Tribe Road #4B, shortly before 11.30 p.m.

Such attacks have been described as a gangland show of bravado and in some cases are carried out by new gang members as part of an initiation ceremony.

In recent months, officers have warned gangs have been targeting individuals, stealing items such as cell phones, cash and jewellery including chains costing up to $20,000.

Bermuda Police Service spokesman Dwayne Caines told The Royal Gazette: "Bermuda Police Service has noticed a considerable increase in cases where victims have been set upon by suspects and removed from their person items of value — chains and jewellery.

"This is not a new practice. However, it is one that's becoming more frequent. Because some of these chains have high value, there are some associations with a certain group — and a sign of power when an individual can take a chain that's of value to an individual and to keep hold of it.

"Parents should be aware of what their children have on when leaving home. It would be a smart practice not to wear expensive jewellery that makes yourself a target when out.

"This is consistent advice given to tourists and members of the community alike: to lessen your chances of becoming a victim by removing the opportunities that may exist. If you have got a chain, a thief doesn't know whether it's fake or real.

"You must be mindful of the environment and setting you are in."

Several sources say Mr. Hill had no affiliations to any gang and simply happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His family says he went to the party for no reason other than to have fun.

Seven people have been arrested, including six men and a teenage girl. Nobody had been charged by press time last night.

A taxi driver who in the early hours of Sunday drove a group of suspects from the Elbow Beach area to White Hill, Sandys, has now come forward.

However, officers are re-appealing to the estimated 75 young people who were in the area at the time of the murder, some of whom were attending a farewell party thrown by a 15-year-old girl. Most are said to be aged in their mid to late teens.

Mr. Caines said some information had been circulating over the Internet, e-mails and text messages — but that it was impossible to rely on such sources.

He said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area to come and assist the Police. That is the responsible thing to do. We are also appealing to parents who may have had young people at the party to get them to come forward.

"It's becoming a new phenomenon for people to put information on Facebook, e-mails or text. We have to ascertain whether that information is in fact true."

People can call Police on 299-4315 or the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.