Public Safety Minister David Burch says he has been in discussions with Government House over changes to operational policing which could be brought to the Island.

Sen. Burch revealed the move as he repeated his call for the Governor to do more to help address Bermuda's policing difficulties.

He told a press conference that he had put forward his concerns that it takes too long for Police to respond to calls from the public.

"We are fairly close to agreeing a way forward in terms of some changes to operational policing we have been discussing," said Sen. Burch.

"It's clearly an initiative led by Government. We have been stepping outside the box."

Sen. Burch called the press conference in response to claims by the Opposition United Bermuda Party about a lack of Police presence in the town of St. George.

He said Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley had made a promise he would not be able to keep by pledging to provide the town with a permanent Police presence if elected into power.

"When I asked for the responsibility to address precisely what the Opposition Leader raises it was called a constitutional crisis.

"It is dishonest to suggest that this Government does not want to police St. George's and Bermuda as a whole," said Sen. Burch.

"Operational issues are a matter for the Commissioner of Police and the Governor and Mr. Dunkley was quite happy to see the Minister left out of the equation.

"To now criticise the Government on something over which we have no control demonstrates a complete lack of integrity in dealing with the serious issue of law and order in this country.

"The Governor is solely responsible for the operations of the Bermuda Police Service and try as they might, no amount of carping by the Opposition can change the nature of the relationship."

Complaining the relationship rendered him "powerless" as Minister, Sen. Burch continued: "I can purchase vehicles but I can't tell them where to drive them to police our community. Bermuda has real problems and those problems are not insurmountable. However, they require bold steps to address them. We in Government are doing our part and I again call on Government House to do theirs."

Earlier, Mr. Dunkley had issued a statement on St. George's saying: "Residents have been complaining about the lack of Police presence on the streets since the closure of the Police station was followed by unchecked rises in crime, particularly violent acts such as muggings that have targeted locals as well as visitors.

"St. George's is a vibrant, working town. As a Government, the United Bermuda Party will provide the town with a dedicated, permanent, year-round Police presence.

"It's what the Old Town needs, and it is what the Old Town will get."