of this newspaper yesterday and it will have come as something of a shock to the public especially since crime statistics in Bermuda had been improving.

There is a trend toward lower crime rates in other countries, especially in Britain and the United States, and even New York City has been showing marked improvement. Bermuda was no exception until this past summer when crooks and criminals had a busy third quarter of the year.

The statistics are frustrating because it seems that when they decrease in one area, like cycle thefts, they bulge out in another.

The disturbing third quarter figure for the general public has to be the increase in handbag snatches and muggings, which often scare away our paying visitors, and the 34 percent increase in break-ins and burglaries which threatens people in their homes.

The public is deeply concerned about crime and fear of being a victim of criminals is now a major feature of their lives. In yesterday's issue we also interviewed some Warwick West voters as part of our election series on marginal districts. Crime was very much on their minds. The voters were concerned about people who spend their days loitering on the roadside and trouble pedestrians and about crimes against the person.

Bermuda is a very small place and crime affects on everyone. It becomes a very personal matter for victims and for their family and friends. The impact is magnified because there is nowhere in Bermuda to "escape''.

We are convinced that community policing and a neighbourhood Police presence is the answer for Bermuda. We have totally agreed with the Police when they have told us of the importance of Parish constables. Yet every time there is a shortage of Police persons, the Parish constables are the first to be taken off their Parish duties and reassigned. If they are indeed so important, we would have thought they might be the last to be moved.

The good news is a marked decrease in the theft of vehicles, especially cycles. The new system of marking cycles clearly works. People who do not have their cycles marked against thieves are doing themselves a disservice.

The public must play its part in the move against crime. It is not acceptable to stand by and say: "Let the Police do it.'' We have a good Police Service but they can only do so much.

Very often members of the public know the solutions to crimes and choose to stay silent. Yet they have a duty to help and if they are frightened they can always make reports in confidence through Crime Stoppers. The number is on the front page of this newspaper every day as a public service.