Shadow Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess called on Government to show hooligans like those fighting at City Hall last week that enough is enough ? or get out of the way and his party do the job.

"It is that grave and that severe," he said. "How many limbs do we have to lose, how many attacks do we have to endure?"

Public Safety Minister Randy Horton promised earlier this year to bring forward legislation increasing penalties for such crimes, he said. "The people gave them more time because they thought they would give the criminals more time."

That legislation, however, has not yet appeared, he said. "Either do the job or get out of the way and let us (the United Bermuda Party) come back.

"We are simply not seeing the leadership that is required to ensure zero tolerance on crime, particularly violent crime ... We have to bring a grinding halt to this behaviour."

Mr. Burgess also called on Government to sit down with the Police Service. "Ask what it will take to ensure that a clear signal is sent that we are back on top and in control, managing criminal behaviour.

"We need to make sure the Police Service feels it has Government support, and give them the authority to go on managing crime."

Mr. Burgess said he has heard officers move on tiptoe as they apprehend and interview criminals for fear they will be slapped with charges themselves. "No one wants the Police Service to step beyond their bounds," he said. "But the Service isn't feeling the sense of security it should have ... Criminals are walking through the cracks and becoming benefactors of inactivity.

"You and I are becoming the victims. Allow the Police to get on with policing."

A sense of lawlessness is pervading the community, bringing it within inches of the Wild Wild West days, he said. The economy, however ? both from an international business and a tourism perspective ? depends heavily on stability.

"We cannot have offshore business or tourists feeling uncomfortable, not knowing who will be attacked and when."

Bermudians also deserve that security, he said. "We are now beginning to reap what the 'lowering of the bar' produces. It will haunt us to no end."