Around $300,000 has been splashed out on improving safety and security at Premier Division matches — as the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) attempts to foster a family atmosphere by cracking down on alcohol, drugs and gang violence.

Widespread changes will be introduced by the BFA this season using a portion of its $15 million of government funding to increase match-day organisation and attract families to top-flight football.

BFA executives, club officials and police have held a seminar to discuss new mandatory measures, including stewards, security wands to detect illegal weapons, greater police presence, first-aid equipment, two-way radios, a ticketing machine and VIP passes for players' guests.

All clubs are to be provided with a safety and security package, while a review of each Premier Division ground will be carried out to report on the standard of fencing, vulnerable areas, lighting and CCTV possibilities.

Each 2007-8 fixture will also be assessed by the BFA to determine whether it qualifies as "high-risk". If so a greater steward and police presence will be granted to ward against potential gang violence and other anti-social behaviour.

Lloyd Smith, from BFA safety and security, hopes the measures will encourage those families who have been put off from attending games to flock back through the entrance gates.

"Before we received government funding we met with clubs who informed us of the security measures they wanted," he said. "We're now providing them with a package and will work with them to ensure it's implemented.

"There's been issues in the past with the so-called gangs causing trouble at certain fixtures and we need to eliminate that. Right now some families probably don't feel safe at matches — we want to bring that family atmosphere back to Bermuda football.

"The aim is to try and prevent problems before they arise and make sure we've sufficient stewards and police to deter people from acting inappropriately.

"In the past the main issues have been safety at the gates, making sure people don't bring in their own alcohol and ensure the safety of referees. But we're also trying to make football more family orientated sport — that's our drive."

As part of their $324,805 safety and security budget, of which $298,214 has been spent, four match-day stewards will be provided and five police officers at six high-risk fixtures each week.

A match-day commissioner will also be on hand at all games to oversee the running of the match-day programme and remind spectators of the BFA's code of conduct via a public address system.

"It will be the commissioner's role to ensure security is present at the gates, players are on the field of play at the correct time and kick-off is not delayed," said Smith.

"We will be paying for four club stewards per high-risk game but recommending they've around eight to ensure these improvements are implemented correctly and thoroughly.

"As part of our budget we will also be hiring five police officers at each high-risk game. Last season we only had police presence at certain times — mainly at cup matches. With the additional police we're hoping to deter people using recreational drugs also."

As part of the BFA's safety and security budget $133,804.80 has been spent on police security, $72,000 on club stewards, and $42,000 on public address systems.

In 2005 armed thugs marred a match between PHC and Somerset Trojans with a man receiving a machete wound during a scuffle near the clubhouse.