Bermuda is facing a ?collective crisis? as evident by crime and anti-social behaviour having led a spate of shootings, including a teenager?s murder, since April.

In a televised address to the nation last night, Premier Alex Scott urged all residents to stand up and be counted in a campaign to rid the Island of the menace and destruction of crime and violence.

He pledged Government would follow-through with its own efforts to combat criminal and gang-related activity.

Those efforts include bringing the Bermuda Police Service up to full strength, active and visible policing of known trouble spots, along with a project identifying the root causes that lead young men into criminal and violent activity.

But Mr. Scott said there was an equally important role for every resident to play in speaking out and passing on information about the law-breakers to the authorities.

Public reluctance to assist Police with information about recent crimes has hampered efforts to bring the culprits to justice, if Bermudians protect those who commit acts of violence they are assisting in the destabilising of the community, explained Mr. Scott.

?I implore each and every member of the community to get involved, speak up and speak out. Call the hot-tip lines, communicate with law enforcement agencies. Some of you have important and critical information ? be part of the solution,? he said.

?Do not protect those who are deliberately attempting to destabilise our community through acts of violence and destruction.?

In his televised and radio broadcast speech Mr. Scott said he was asking every Bermudian and resident ?to remember how you felt recently on each occasion you heard that there had been a shooting in Bermuda or some act of apparent random and thoughtless violence in our community.

?Reflect on how you felt and then resolve to support the action that the Police Service and Government are taking to ensure the safety of everyone in our Island community.?

An outbreak of gun violence started in April when two men and a woman were shot and injured by a gunman at the Swinging Doors club in Court Street, in June a teenager was hurt in a drive-by shooting near The Swizzle South Shore, Warwick, and then Jason Lightbourne was shot dead at the wheel of a car in Ord Road, Paget on July 23.

The violent assault of a Portuguese football fan outside Docksiders pub following a televised World Cup match led to an anti-racism rally on the steps of Hamilton City Hall.

Referring to the PLP Government?s Social Agenda, Mr. Scott said ?progress and good work achieved? was now under threat ?from a direct challenge to the law and good order of our country.?

He said: ?Criminal acts and anti-social behaviour is being carried out by those in our society who would threaten the national security and the lives of their fellow Bermudians.?

Mr. Scott said he had attended ?one funeral too many as a result of violent and lawless acts? and warned the country was facing a collective crisis that everyone had a part in helping to solve.

A year ago Government commissioned a study into the plight of the young black male in Bermudian society and that was providing background assistance to addressing social challenges at the root of violent behaviour, said the Premier.

Mr. Scott went on: ?To quote Prime Minister (Tony) Blair of the UK when he was confronted with a similar need ?to deter bad behaviour and to invest in good behaviour.?

?He goes on to say ?this is what makes the case for action against anti-social behaviour a progressive cause. Poverty and exclusion from the material norms of a prosperous society provide fertile ground for crime?.?

And he said when Mr. Blair had said the UK Government was seeking to change the conditions in which criminal activity often flourishes ?his thoughts mirror ours.?

Police will arrest law-breakers, said Mr. Scott, adding: ?Lawlessness is not and must not become part of our culture. The necessary steps are already being taken to ensure the Police Service can recruit up to its full complement of officers.

?The Government will also put in place social services that will enable the Police service, and others, to offer productive outlets for the energies of those who might be disposed towards anti-social behaviour.?

And in a call for residents to educate, encourage and engage young people so they are steered away from criminal and violent lives, Mr. Scott added: ?Young Lionel Cann, captain of the St. George?s cup match team said it better than I ever could. I paraphrase his words, but in essence he said ?I say to young black men, look at me. I stand here with this cup. I have come a long way because I decided to change. Get a job, take care of your families, stop the violence?.?