Senator Michael Dunkley has called for a parliamentary joint select committee on crime to include members of the Senate as well.

All senators present in the Upper Chamber on Wednesday were in favour of the idea besides Government Senate Leader David Burch.

The House of Assembly agreed last Friday to establish a House of Assembly select committee to look into the cause of the increase in violent crime.

The motion was put forward by Government MP Randy Horton last month.

Sen. Dunkley said he thought a committee made up of Senators and MPs was important.

"I was pleased to see the support of the Senate, other than Minister Burch who for his own unannounced reasons voted against the motion strange indeed.

"Until the Minister provides an explanation to the community one can only speculate, but it appears to be a continuation of his 'us against them' attitude where anything suggested by people outside of his party should not be considered."

A comprehensive plan of action could be better developed with more input, Sen. Dunkley added.

"(We need one) due to the drastic increase in gun violence and the critical need to arrest the trend as it is ruining our long-established culture of safety in Bermuda, our way of life, our future as a community, as a place to do business and for tourism.

"If we fail to deal with this rising tide we will all suffer in the long run."

So far this year, gun violence has claimed six lives and injured 15 people.

Sen. Dunkley said: "I hope colleagues in the House will accept this message from the Senate and together we can do the heavy lifting required."

A letter will now be sent to the House of Assembly suggesting that the select committee include Senators.