The Bermuda Police are close to bringing in specialist firearms officers from abroad as the number of gun-related incidents have soared this yearm, it emerged yesterday.

Firearms incidents have reached almost half the number of last year in just three months.

Police say the shooting of three men in Hamilton on Friday brings the total reported incidents to 38 for the first three months of 2010.

This compares to 92 for the whole of last year.

Two men have been killed and seven injured since January 1.

In 2009, four men died in shootings and a further 13 people were injured.

Yesterday it emerged Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva is recruiting Firearms Officers overseas to boost policing resources.

Acting Commissioner Mike Jackman, speaking at a press conference into the death of James Lawes, reassured the public that Police are taking proactive measures to combat the problem, but said officers could only succeed with the help of the community.

"We in the Bermuda Police Service are very concerned about the escalation in firearms-related incidents," said Mr. Jackman.

"We wish to reassure the community that we are working diligently to ensure that our Service is equipped to handle this new level of firearms incidents."

Police are working with Government to forge new criminal legislation and increase funding and resources. They plan to recruit a crime analyst and train more officers in the use of firearms.

"The Commissioner is currently overseas recruiting qualified Authorised Firearms Officers to boost our local officers," Mr. Jackman said.

The Police are also liaising with the FBI and other US law enforcement agencies, while Mr. DeSilva is to visit the West Midlands Police in the UK to examine their tactics in dealing with gang violence in Birmingham.

What is needed most though, said Mr. Jackman, is "the full support of the public".

"Firearms-related incidents are not going away and the Bermuda public must not accept that this negative behaviour is the norm, as the Bermuda Police Service certainly has not," he said.

"Law abiding citizens cannot be held to ransom by a few. The public must get involved.

"We reassure you that your information will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality as the information you provide is valuable to us in stopping this violence."

Public Safety Minister David Burch said last night: "Government stands firmly behind the BPS and is providing the necessary assistance to them."

Anyone with information on firearms incidents should call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.