weapons amnesty proposed by Police.

Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay said his main objective in organising gang truce meetings across the Island was not only to bring peace, but to also take weapons off the streets.

He attended another meeting between warring factions at the Police Recreational Club in Pembroke on Tuesday night.

It is believed another meeting will be held in the very near future.

A Police spokeswoman said: "One of the objectives of the meetings is that eventually there will be a gun amnesty. I guess before that offensive weapons may be handed in.

"We don't know when this will happen, but we hope in the not too distant future.

"One of our main objectives is to encourage an amnesty.'' The Police spokeswoman said she was unaware how well attended Tuesday's meeting was, or whether another one had already been arranged.

She said she had not attended the latest meeting because the gangs themselves had stipulated that they wanted no media coverage.

Last night, Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said she was aware of the long-term objectives and supported Police, not only in the proposal for a gun amnesty, but also for getting the gangs to talk, as well as involving the community.

She added: "I think what they have done is stretch out their arms to incorporate everyone, using some innovative methods.'' The regular meetings between gang members and the Commissioner began in mid-August after a wave of gang violence in various parts of the Island.

The rash of gang attacks began when a group of masked youths targeted the PHC Club in Warwick, terrorising club members and smashing vehicles with baseball bats.

The following evening, Police discovered stashes of petrol bombs in two locations in Court Street and White Hill Field, Sandys.

Days later, Police received reports of suspected gunshots being heard in Somerset.

Police launched a crime blitz, arresting suspected gang members, seizing offensive weapons and even confiscating 29 Molotov cocktails.

The high visibility policing, which involved the use of dogs and road blocks, lasted a number of days and was responsible for circumventing any further outbreaks of violence.

But Police Commissioner Lemay said that despite more than 100 arrests and the seizure of drugs and baseball bats, he knew there would no quick fix.

Part of his long-term plan was to meet with the gang members and talk through their differences to see if they could come to some sort of compromise.

Before his first meeting he said: "We have to look carefully. There are issues to be addressed and there are still some people driving around the Island carrying knives and so on, and intelligence reports indicate some individuals are still leaning towards violent behaviour.

"I am prepared to sit down with the heads of these groups to try to find a solution, but they should begin by demonstrating good faith by stopping this level of aggression.'' At the height of the problems it was alleged that gang members were roaming the streets armed with guns.

One Warwick resident, who was too afraid to be named, said guns had been spotted in Middle Road, Warwick, along Ord Road, and near to the Southampton Rangers on South Shore.

The man said one gang member had played with a brand new 9mm weapon just inches from his face and he feared lives would be lost if Police did not crush the gun cult.

The resident said: "They don't know how to aim it or hold it. The first thing you are told is don't point it at somebody. He was cocking it and uncocking it.

"It was a brand spanking new, well-oiled 9mm. I have seen three of these, as well as a rusty 357 and a rusty 45.'' As a result of criticism from members of the public, some gang members refused to attend the meetings, leading to a poor turnout.

Jean Jacques Lemay