WE'VE seen and heard it all before.

Football violence is neither new here in Bermuda nor anywhere else where the game's played.

Sadly it's often the price the sport pays for being the most popular in the world. It attracts all kinds - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Unfortunately it doesn't come much uglier than the events that transpired at Devonshire Recreation Club during Tuesday night's Martonmere Cup matches.

But on this occasion the thugs who invaded the pitch brandishing machetes, knives and even, according to some eye-witnesses, a Samurai sword, obviously weren't soccer fans. It would be difficult even to describe them as soccer hooligans.

As was the case at BAA a few weeks ago when fighting among spectators spilled onto the pitch - some are saying the two incidents are related - those involved couldn't care less about football. They weren't the slightest bit interested in the games themselves, only in inflicting serious injury and terrifying those around them.

As far as we know, nobody on this occasion was injured - at least not within the confines of the ground - but it's surely only a matter of time before such violence results in someone being maimed or even killed.

If ever there was a time for increased Police presence, it's now. The deteriorating behaviour we've seen so far this season suggests that the safety of those attending local games can't be guaranteed. The situation is getting out of control.

With weapons being brandished such as those mentioned above, Police chiefs themselves must now consider football matches, particularly those held late at night, a hotspot for criminal activity. And they need to be in attendance as a matter of course.

It's now clear that security arrangements put in place by the clubs and even the BFA aren't working. By the time Police arrive on the scene, more often than not the culprits have vanished.

What was most troubling about Tuesday's events was the sheer size and vicious nature of the weapons used. How on earth did they get into the ground?

Did the thugs simply walk in through the gates or did they and their cache come in over the fence? Either way, whatever security was in effect wasn't working.

Installation of closed-circuit security cameras at all grounds has been suggested before, and was raised again at last night's BFA emergency meeting. Much like increased Police presence, it's a costly deterrent.

But if order is to be restored, then the sooner it's put into operation the better.