Funding increases will allow the hiring of more police officers, the purchase of new fire trucks and the launching of a new coastguard station in St David’s.

David Burt, the Premier, said the Ministry of National Security budget would increase by $10.9 million to $126.9 million.

He told the House of Assembly on Friday that the funding would allow 18 positions to be filled across the Bermuda Police Service, customs and the cybersecurity unit.

Mr Burt said the ministry would receive $9.3 million in capital funding to support several projects, including the launch of the new St David’s coastguard station, which will be at the former site of the St David’s Post Office.

“This station will result in Bermuda’s maritime capabilities being significantly extended, particularly in the East End of Bermuda,” the Premier and finance minister said.

The capital funding will also support work at the police headquarters in Prospect; the purchase of new fire trucks; upgrades to the public safety communication system; a scanner for customs at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard; improvements to police network servers; and a new building at the Hamilton docks to house the Customs Department’s X-ray machine.

“Funding will provide for the implementation of the uniformed services training programme, which aims to prepare Bermudians for careers in our uniformed services,” Mr Burt said.

“Funding has also been allocated for the provision of individual and family counselling, intervention initiatives and educational programmes through our Gang Violence Reduction Team.”

Additional funding was also allocated for community and sports organisations to support their youth programmes and to enhance their security infrastructure.

The Premier also announced that the Ministry of Justice would receive $57.7 million, an increase of $2.9 million.

“The Attorney-General’s Chambers will enhance its resources and staffing levels to support the drafting of robust legislation and to provide comprehensive legal advice and representation to government ministries and departments,” Mr Burt said.

“These additional resources will prevent backlog and ensure that the Government can swiftly move forward with matters of law reform that will benefit all of Bermuda.”

The Judicial Department will receive capital funding to introduce a new electronic case management system, while works will be carried out at the Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building to create additional court rooms and administrative space.

The island’s court system has been challenged in recent years by the closure of Supreme Court 1, which was in Sessions House, resulting in the Supreme Court taking over courtrooms that had been used by Magistrates’ Court.

The Department of Court Services, meanwhile, will be able to bolster staffing levels to allow it to meet “a broader range of client needs”, including the Domestic Violence Court Programme, set to launch this year.

Mr Burt added that the budget would also allow the Department of Corrections to make “long overdue” repairs at Westgate and increase staffing levels.

“The Department of Corrections will recruit new corrections officers to restore operational capacity and meet security standards,” he said.

“Funds will be allocated to officer training and welfare, as well as enhanced and individualised rehabilitation and education programmes for inmates that incorporate principles of restorative justice.”