Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith is about to launch a new community survey to assess the public's priorities when it comes to crime and Policing.

Mr. Smith said the last survey was carried out in 1999, when residents highlighted their main concerns as burglary, violence and vehicle crime.

But he said the time had come to circulate another questionnaire to ensure Police resources were being deployed in the areas most wanted by the community.

"We will be doing another survey in the next 12 months," said Mr. Smith.

"It's a question of moving as close as we can to meeting community expectations and it's a question of balancing the resources and recognising the priorities."

Mr. Smith spoke to The Royal Gazette about his plans for Policing following Governor Sir John Vereker's Throne Speech on Friday, which included a number of anti-crime measures for the Island.

The Governor reported that Government planned to amend legislation pertaining to commercial crime, theft and fraud to take into account new technology and close existing loop holes. And he said Police would be given greater powers of arrest for alleged assaults and weapon offences, and said punishments for traffic crimes would be beefed up.

And Sir John added: "Further, the Government has initiated a high level discussion with the Bermuda Police Service regarding their attention to those duties and responsibilities that contribute to the maintenance of law and good order. This is intended to result in a greater presence of Police patrols on our streets.

"The product of these discussions is a commitment by both the Government and the Bermuda Police Service to provide reports to the public that will keep them informed of progress that continues to be made in the pursuit of law and good order in the community."

Mr. Smith said he believed the Governor was referring to frequent meetings he had had with the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to discuss operational issues and priorities.

"What we have heard is there is a community expectation for more higher visibility of Police," said the Commissioner.

"This is a question of aligning Policing priorities with what the Government considers to be the priorities and what the community believes to be the priorities."

And he said a key example of that was the high Police presence on the streets on Friday night for Hallowe'en.

The Commissioner said there were more officers deployed on Friday night than in previous years, based on community and Police priority.

He said if the community wanted higher visibility Policing then the Service could re-deploy officers to suit.

And he said Cabinet decisions in the last 12 months, permitting the contracts of some overseas officers to be extended, had increased the number of officers overall, which would provide greater Police presence.

However, he also said the Community Beat Officers programme across the Island would also play a role in having greater Police patrols.

He added: "I will continue my dialogue with the Ministry with a view to determining how that objective (of extra beat patrols) will be met."