Attempts to crack down on a spate of bladed weapon attacks are being held back because too many witnesses refuse to come forward, Police Commissioner George Jackson said yesterday.

Offenders are able to walk away unchallenged because onlookers fail to intervene or report incidents to the Police, Mr. Jackson told a press conference.

He said tough new legislation against bladed weapons had enjoyed early success, but warned that the number of recent incidents was a concern.

Pointing to a link between recent knife attacks and drugs, he issued a call for the community to help officers get on top of the problem. “Bladed articles are still a worrying concern, as I see a resurgence in the use of bladed articles and unprovoked attacks on unsuspecting victims resulting in serious injury,” said Mr. Jackson.

“This is often complicated by witnesses who refuse to come forward, which allows the perpetrators to walk away unchallenged and not be held accountable for their actions.

“I believe that at the heart of many of these attacks are the use, sale and distribution of drugs and there are some unscrupulous individuals in Bermuda who are benefiting from drugs and the violence that results.

“People can no longer stand idly by having knowledge of or witnessing criminal behaviour and failing to assist the Police. Their silence and inaction gives tacit approval to those involved.”

An 18-year-old Warwick man was taken to hospital with lacerations to his left hand and right arm after he was attacked outside the Liberty Theatre on Union Square shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

On Sunday afternoon, two teenage robbers stole pizza and cash after threatening a Four Star delivery man with knives in Tommy Fox Road, St. George’s.

And two young men needed hospital treatment for head and arm injuries after they were set upon by three assailants in an attack with a bladed weapon in Paget Plaza in the early hours of Wednesday, June 20.

Mr. Jackson said everybody had a role to play in tackling knife crime.

“We are asking for the community to bond together, come forward and assist us. Things can only change when the community says.

“It’s a failing on all of us — everyone. Remember, we are part of the community. We are mothers and fathers.

“If people see something, they need to speak to the individual concerned and let that person know their behaviour is not acceptable, and let them know wrong is not going to be tolerated.”

Around six months ago, Police said their efforts to tackle an increase in violent attacks by gangs and individuals were being hampered by the unwillingness of victims to come forward.

“There’s a perception among some segments of the community that to assist the Police is not a good thing to do. There may be some who are indifferent, there are those who may be afraid for their safety if they help Police,” said Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams in January, as he announced violent crime was at its highest point in seven years. Mr. Jackson was speaking yesterday at the first of what is expected to be a series of monthly addresses to the press by himself and senior Police management.