Opposition Leader Kim Swan called for Premier Ewart Brown to "stop playing politics and focus on the job at hand".

Mr. Swan issued a statement yesterday condemning Dr. Brown for releasing a joint statement with the Governor Sir Richard Gozney, only to release a separate statement just an hour later.

Dr. Brown repeated his demand for control over operational policing after the joint statement with the Governor which said the two were working closely.

Mr. Swan said: "Bermuda must be confused by the Premier's two crime fighting statements released yesterday just minutes apart.

"The first said he and the Governor were anxious to do all they could to help Police to fight the 'shocking rise in gun crime'.

"After noting that the Governor and the Premier 'frequently and intensely' discussed policing issues, the two announced changes would be made to the Evidence Act giving Police greater scope to act and that overseas help would be called in to train Police in anti-gun and anti-gang strategies."

He continued: "Within an hour of making this statement, the Premier released his own, saying he was not satisfied with the fight against crime and that his government was hamstrung from doing more because the Governor was responsible for policing.

"The Premier said he had pleaded with the Governor to adopt new operational strategies and operational experts to help train police."

The Opposition Leader also said: "People must be confused by the two faces shown them— one jointly announcing initiatives to fight crime, the other complaining that the Government's hands are tied."

Mr. Swan claimed Bermudians are "sick and tired of this political game when the very safety of their families and their communities is threatened".

"Bermuda is in crisis as a result of gang warfare. They do not want to see personal political agendas distract from the battle for law and order.

"They want direct action. They want results. People don't want finger-pointing and blame games.

"They want focused, cooperative work between all the agencies of government. The Premier should stop playing politics with the Police and start doing the work he was elected to do."

Requests for a response were sent to the Premier's Press Secretary but were unanswered by press time.