The new Police station at Southside is expected to be built by the third quarter of next year and the project will go out to tender soon, it was revealed yesterday.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton gave the first concrete date for completion of the controversial project in a statement to MPs in the House of Assembly.

Yesterday, Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith welcomed the news, and confirmed there will still be a full-time Police station in St. George's even after Southside is complete.

He said Police were still "fine tuning" staffing levels for St. George's but said Southside will be the main hub for the East end of the Island.

"It is extremely encouraging news that I am confident the service will be pleased to receive," Mr. Smith told The Royal Gazette.

"Southside will be the main operational hub for the east of the Island but St. George's will be operational 24/7 as well."

Mr. Horton also confirmed that work will begin next year and into 2005 on the new Hamilton Police Station and Magistrates Court complex on Court Street, between Church and Victoria Streets.

While Police were rightly concerned about the "dire" state of buildings, officers were also concerned about rising violence.

"The incidence of increased violence against persons and property in Bermuda must be reversed, for this trend causes immeasurable damage to our quality of life," he said.

Referring to the firearms armistice and the recent violence at the Elephant Man concert at White Hill Field, he added: "We must take back our Bermuda from those who seem bent on destroying it.

"With the ongoing support of the Bermuda Police Service specifically, and the caring people of Bermuda generally, we will succeed."