Government House yesterday confirmed nearly 45 new Police constables will soon be deployed as Bermuda tackles rising crime.

And Chief Inspector Martin Weekes reassured residents in St. George's — where Premier Dr. Ewart Brown has requested a greater Police presence — that the Old Town is still receiving the same coverage as before its Police station shut in January 2007.

Chief Insp. Weekes said the only difference was that people don't see those officers beginning and ending their shift in the station. He welcomed the reopening of the facility — scheduled for December 1 — as it will improve the perception of policing in St. George's.

Government House told The Royal Gazette in a statement yesterday: "Like all Bermudians, we in Government House are concerned when tourists or residents are robbed, on the street or in their homes.

"The Commissioner of Police is well aware of particular concerns in St. George's, as in some other parts of the Island, and Chief Inspector Martin Weekes of Southside Police Station is taking a strong personal role in making the best use of the East End policemen and women available.

"We are all looking forward to the early deployment of nearly 45 new police constables who are in training, many of them now in their final weeks of training."

Chief Insp. Weekes said: "We have the same amount of people at Southside as we did in St. George's. We still have the same coverage but we are not physically starting and ending our shifts at the station.

"The constables weren't inside for eight hours — they were driving their cars around. That same system goes on today.

"I will be pleased to have the Police station up and running. It will be a point of call for people to report crimes. I believe perception is 90 percent of reality and people will be very happy to have it open."