violent handbag snatches that have hit the City of Hamilton.

UBP Senator Maxwell Burgess appealed to both the culprits and members of the public to draw a close to the spate of attacks that have left a number of people nursing injuries.

But he also urged Government to carry out a survey on how people judge crime and acts of violence to find out what steps could be taken to reduce it.

He said he spoke about handbag snatching the last time the Senate met, but said the problem was continuing.

"It seems to be picking up, instead of coming to a stop,'' he said.

"I would like to make a plea to every Bermudian, that we will do all we can to assist the Police to find who these culprits are.'' He said the people of Bermuda should make it clear to the bag snatchers that there are 50,000 Police officers looking out for them.

And he added: "It's time that we in Bermuda called for a social survey to take place.

"There seems to be a general willingness and social acceptance of sub standards. How we speak to each other -- worse still -- how we don't speak to each other.

"I urge the Government to spend consultancy money on a well being survey to find out where we are.'' He said it seemed acceptable today to solve a row with a machete or baseball bat.

Road rage and over reactions were the norm, he said.

But Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes said rather than appealing for the bag snatchers to stop, we should be warning people to be extra vigilant.

"It is down to awareness,'' he said.

"The people at risk of these things happening should some how get better protection.'' He said some areas were known to attract bag thieves, such as Front Street, along to the Hamilton Princess Hotel.

"There should be better lighting, or more awareness,'' he added.

"We can predict that somebody on Pitts Bay Road or Richmond Road is going to get their handbag snatched.'' The Corporation of Hamilton is working with the Police and businesses to install more CCTV cameras along the Pitts Bay Road area and around the North Hamilton area. They hope it will stem the number of bag thefts and crimes in those districts.