The public needs to engage with Police or face further murders that is the message from the Police Commissioner.

Michael DeSilva is imploring people to come forward with information following the gun murder of George Lynch on Wednesday.

Mr. Lynch, 40, was killed by a single bullet to the chest outside a house in Hamilton Parish. It was the fourth firearms murder of the year, and the eighth in the last 12 months.

"We want to impress upon the public that if ever there was a time it is right now, today. So if we are going to put a stop to this the public need to come forward," said Mr. DeSilva.

"The public need to tell us where the guns are, who is doing the shootings, they need to be brave and step forward and give evidence. My fear is if we don't see an improvement in that area soon we are going to see more of the same.

"Look at the alternative give up and give in to the violence? That's not the direction we want to go in.

"And let me make it clear that this is not all the public, this is a small minority.

"We cannot continue to demand safety, but refuse to give up the gangsters.

"And when I say public I do not mean everybody, there is a small number of people. It is about time they were not allowed hold the rest of us ransom."

Premier Ewart Brown has extended his condolences to Mr. Lynch's family, saying: "We commend the BPS for their diligence and perseverance, and remind the public that it is only with their full cooperation that justice can be done."

He said: "Like all Bermudians the Government is outraged at the escalation of gang violence in our country. That is why we have begun to implement the following steps to restore law and order in Bermuda: toughening the criminal code, targeting gang activity and its associated anti-social behaviour; putting more officers with expertise on gang and gun crimes on the street; partnering with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), giving our Police Service access to a wider pool of resources and experience; introducing new weapons in the war on crime, from expanded X-ray technology at our docks, to an electronic tracking system for people on bail or work release, and arming our officers with Tasers; and, introducing a Witness Protection programme.

"We are making progress but more work needs to be done."

Shadow Minister for Public Safety Michael Dunkley however, called for more surveillance of gang suspects.

"Wednesday night's murder of a man outside a house, the same house which has been at the centre of a Supreme Court trial, is tantamount to an attack on Bermuda's criminal justice system," said Senator Dunkley.

"The United Bermuda Party is alarmed by this latest turn in the downward spiral of public safety in our community a crisis that constitutes the gravest of threats to our way of life.

"The situation underscores our long-standing calls for a stronger Police presence and reform of the criminal justice system, to restore the sense of deterrence in the streets that is essential for law and order to prevail."

Sen. Dunkley said: "We know the Police are aware of the ringleaders and perpetrators, through its Prolific Priority Offenders system. With knowledge of their whereabouts it is time to monitor these people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The Government must provide the Police with all the funding, manpower and support necessary to get on top of the situation."

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Mark Pettingill said: "I fear that we are now beyond a point of crisis in our Country which warrants all resources available to address it immediately... but how many times have myself and others said that in the last year?"

l If you have any information on the murder of George Lynch please call the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline on 800 8477.