of Bermuda's worsening crime problem.

Along with another visiting couple, South African Springboks coach Mr. Nick Mallet and a British photographer woke up on Monday morning to find their rooms had been burgled, Police confirmed yesterday.

The victims were staying at three different hotels on the Island.

One of the Classic participants had left the door to his Paget hotel room open while he went to another part of the building late on Monday night.

It is understood he returned and later discovered a thief had apparently sneaked in from the corridor and stolen his wallet.

The other participant was staying at a Smith's Parish guest house, Police said. While he was asleep, a thief crept in and also stole his wallet.

Both wallets contained cash, driver's licences, credit cards and other personal papers. Police said one sportsman lost a total of 160, although Mr. Mallet declined to comment on the robbery when contacted last night.

In the third hotel burglary, a couple staying at a Sandys Parish guest house reported to Police that their wallet, handbag and a pair of gold petal-shaped earrings were stolen while they slept.

Tourism Department official Mr. Charles Webbe this week came out with a warning that the rise in crime -- both against visitors and locals -- was putting the local tourism industry at risk. The Tourism Department had been approached by foreign journalists on the issue of crime, he said.