Government is to meet the US Consul General over a website which claims Bermuda has a growing crime rate.

Public Safety Minister Randy Horton last night took issue with some of "the tone and emphasis" of the US State Department travel advisory.

"I regret the fact that Bermuda's unacceptably high crime rates warrant inclusion in the travel advisory. We as a community must work together to eradicate this problem."

Tourism Minister Renee Webb, meanwhile, blamed Bermuda's apparent reputation as a "crime-ridden place" on the Island's media ? in particular

The US Consulate, however, remains unmoved. Without a significant drop in crime on the Island, the Consulate said it would not change the information about the Island on the US State Department website.

The controversy follows a story in yesterday which reported that the US State Department had dubbed Bermuda an Island with a "moderate but growing crime rate". Though the story focused on the content of the website, it was revealed yesterday that the information on the site has not been changed for 18 months, according to Mr. Horton.

The State Department does not recommend avoiding travel to certain countries, he said. "Instead, the information on Bermuda appears in a Consular Information Sheet which is available for every country of the world."

The advice on travelling to Bermuda includes warnings that violent crimes, petty thefts and assaults, and the use of date rape drugs are on the rise in Bermuda.

According to Police 2003 crime statistics, there were nearly 400 fewer offences committed than in 2002.

However, violent crimes increased from 236 in 2002 to 252 in 2003, and particularly in the last quarter of 2003.

American embassies world-wide review the State Department information periodically to ensure it remains appropriate, explained US Chief of the Consular Jill Esposito yesterday. The Consulate in Bermuda reviewed the Island's write-up "within the last month".

At that time, one minor change was made: the hours the Consulate was open for public service.

"It's a routine service for the American public," Ms Esposito said. "It's not a rating system, it's just an information sheet."

The Consulate gathers information for the State Department from the appropriate Government agencies and the Press, she said. When that information is no longer appropriate, it is changed. A marked decrease in crime is "a noteworthy observation which would be reflected (on the website)," she said.

Asked if Government has met with the Consulate to discuss the write-up and ways of improving Bermuda's image overseas, Ms Esposito said: "It's not a normal or expected action to meet with the Consulate. They haven't ? but we wouldn't expect them too."

Mr. Horton said last night it is important to note the site does not contain a travel warning against Bermuda, but general information on every single country in the world.

However, he added: "I look forward to meeting with the US Consul General in the near future to discuss the feasibility of the Government being consulted regarding the validity or accuracy of information contained in such travel advisories.

"While much of what appears in the current advisory is factually accurate, I do take issue with its tone and emphasis in some areas," he said last night.

"I regret the fact that Bermuda's unacceptably high crime rates warrant inclusion in the travel advisory. We as a community must work together to eradicate this problem.

"The Government has a zero tolerance towards crime. Residents and visitors alike should be able to rest securely ... walk safely on our streets and have confidence they will arrive safely at their intended destination.

"That is the vision of this Government and, with the full support of the people of Bermuda, that vision will become a reality.

Ms Webb, however, blamed the media for the information on the website.

"I'm not surprised, based on the way the media, in particular , reports crime," she said. "Has there been a significant increase (in crime)? No. Is the reporting making Bermuda sound like a crime-ridden place? Yes. I don't think Bermuda deserves it," she added. "Violent crime is on the decrease, but the way it's reported ..."

In fact, she said, the Tourism Department receives emails from people overseas saying: "There's too much crime in Bermuda, we're going to Jamaica instead".

"Go figure that," said the Minister, yesterday.

"The paper should start putting it in perspective and be more realistic in how they are projecting crime generally. Bermuda is a very safe destination." As long as continues to report in this manner, she said, Bermuda will not be able to improve its overseas image. "The takes no responsibility for what it puts in the press," she said.