Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister has said Bermuda will not run short of Policemen - even when foreign officers head home after their three-year stints.

He said the last of the recruits would not leave until June next year and plans were being made to replace them with overseas and local officers. He said: "There is no shortfall. Numbers will go up and down but I don't foresee any problem."

Mr. Lister said Government would not jeopardise its relationship with Caribbean Police forces by attempting to keep officers beyond their three-year terms. He also pointed out Government had revived the cadet programme which was axed by the United Bermuda Party.

Shadow Home Affairs Patricia Gordon-Pamplin had called for sagging Police numbers to be boosted after the recent upsurge in violence. She said: "Last weekend once again underscored our concern for the safety of our citizens when the Police blotter reported two stabbings along with other violent acts at the soca concert. "We recently have seen attacks on women on the rise, both in their homes and in public, and house break-ins have caused severe unease within the community.

"We are painfully aware the Police Department is stretched to the limit and cannot offer the level of patrols that might be appropriate.

"We are more concerned that the short-term (three-year, non-renewable) contracts that were offered by the former Minister of Public Safety Paula Cox are now coming to a close. What we have not heard is the plan for effective replacement of these officers, so that public safety is not further compromised. The 16 newly graduated recruits cannot replace the three dozen terminations from the interim officers.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin continued: "Add to this equation the retirements by some long-term officers and we have the perfect ingredients for chaos and lawlessness. The Government must advise the public how safety is being assured."

And UBP Senator Kim Swan hit out at inaction over promised improvements in Police procedure including taping of interrogations, protecting victim's identity at identification lineups and the failure to give teeth to the Police Complaints Authority.