For the second time this year, the US Department of State has retained a heightened profile for Bermuda, advising all potential US visitors to beware of Bermuda?s gangs, avoid walking at night in case of sexual assault and to lock their hotel doors and windows at all times.

On the State Department?s website, the US Consulate General in Bermuda again attached several advisories regarding Bermuda?s ?moderate but growing? crime rate.

?Travellers should exercise caution when walking after dark or visiting out-of-the-way places on the Island, as they can be vulnerable to theft and sexual assault, and because narrow and dark roadways can contribute to accidents,? the web-site said.

?Travellers should also note an increase in gang presence in Bermuda and should take regular precautions to avoid confrontation.

?The back streets of Hamilton are often the setting for night-time assaults, particularly after the bars close,? it said.

The State Department continued to say: ?Bermuda has a moderate but growing crime rate. Examples of common crimes include theft of unattended baggage and items from rental motorbikes, purse snatchings (often perpetrated against pedestrians by thieves riding motorbikes), muggings, and thefts from hotel rooms.

?Valuables left in hotel rooms (occupied and unoccupied) or left unattended in public areas are vulnerable to theft.

?The consulate regularly receives reports of thefts of money, valuables, and passports and advises that travellers keep their hotel windows and doors locked at all times.

?Criminals often target transportation systems and popular tourist attractions,? it said.

In February the website reported many of the same problems, including theft and night time assaults in the ?back streets of Hamilton?.

Contrary to the February edition of the same website, there was no mention of date-rape drugs on the site yesterday.

In February the Department warned of date-rape drugs ?such as Rohypnol that has been reported in the media and confirmed by local authorities; one local advocacy group reports a significant increase in the use of these drugs and accompanying sexual assaults?.

And nor was there any mention of the ?incidents of serious violent crime that were unheard of in the past ? particularly those involving weapons ? occurring with increasing frequency, though most appear related to drug or gang activity.?

And St. George?s cleaned up its act as well the web-site said, with no more mention of the ?incidents of verbal and physical assault against both locals and tourists? that were reported in the old town earlier this year.

In February the website said ?Petty drug use is frequent and open, and gang activity has been reported in the (St. George?s) area as well.?

And the final missing crime advisory centred around the muggings at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess area which were already in decline in February ?because of the use of surveillance cameras,? it said.

Speaking in February, US Chief of the Consular Jill Esposito said the US Consulate in Bermuda gathers information for the State Department from the appropriate Government agencies and the Press and when that information is no longer appropriate, it is changed.

A marked decrease in crime is ?a noteworthy observation which would be reflected (on the website),? she said in February.

Speaking last night, Permanent Secretary of Public Safety, Robert Horton said he and Minister of Public Safety Randy Horton ?did have a concern about contents of the State Department?s web-site, when they discussed it with former US Consul Mr. Denis Coleman?.

?We are very grateful the Bermuda pages have been modified,? the Permanent Secretary said last night.

?The Ministry met with him just before his departure. He did say he would follow it up with the State Department,? he said last night.