attacks on females while Police have furnished The Royal Gazette with full updates on each of the crimes.

Concern has been raised over the escalating violent and sexual attacks on women, which has led to 12 separate investigations since the end of August alone.

Most have been sexually motivated, but many also out of wanton violence or robbery and theft, leading women to take greater care when they go about their business at night.

Some groups even asked Government to legalise mace or pepper spray so women could use it as a form of protection if they were unfortunate enough to be targeted.

Concerned about the number of attacks in recent months, The Royal Gazette last week put to Police the details of 18 crimes against women that it believed to be unsolved since November last year.

Police have responded, and out of the 18 inconclusive cases, nine are still pending and without arrests, one has led to a caution, one charge has been dropped, and the remaining seven are expected to appear before the courts late this year or early next.

Of the 12 that occurred since the end of August, seven are still outstanding, but the Major Incident Room is dealing with some of the most serious cases of rape and serious sexual assault.

Although the number of sex assaults in Bermuda for this quarter has massively hiked, the overall number for the whole year is said to be down.

A spokeswoman for the Police said: "Police certainly remain concerned, however, along with members of the public about the recent spate of assaults.

"While overall crime statistics have reflected an indisputable downturn, there is obviously still much work to be done.'' She urged the public to continue to respond to appeals for information and to use the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline.

Last Friday in the House of Assembly, Minister for Public Safety Paula Cox shared concern over the recent spate of attacks, but said Government was fully behind Police in bringing the culprits to justice.

And she warned against people using mace or pepper spray as it was still illegal in Bermuda.

She said: "Not all of these attacks have been of a sexual nature, although those of a sexual nature have, perhaps understandably, evoked particular concern and outrage in the community.

"In an effort to provide assistance to female members of the community, in particular, the Bermuda Police Service and The Women's Resource Centre have given joint crime prevention advice through the local media.'' And she said leaflets by Police had been produced if anyone wished for more information.

Penny Dill, Chairwoman of The Women's Resource Centre, has urged women to be more careful until the culprits are caught for the latest, most serious attacks.

And she said people should avoid walking alone in unlit areas and, where possible, try to avoid travelling alone.

Anyone with information about any of the attacks should call Police on 295-0011.