More money is being put into the fight against gang-related crime, including rises in funding to support victims, educational and vocational programmes as well as community-based initiatives.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, provided a breakdown of the revenues and estimates of his ministry’s budget during the morning session of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Mr Weeks told MPs that the Gang Violence Reduction Programme, led by Leroy Bean, had received $1,716,000, which represented a $924,000, or 117 per cent, increase on last year’s allocation.

Mr Weeks said: “The increase will fund educational programmes for individuals, counselling for victims of violence, work placement programmes that provide an alternative to gang activity and grants to fund community programmes, sporting clubs and community-based entities.”

The programme falls under the ministry headquarters, which was allocated $4,966,000 ‒ an increase of 4 per cent from previous year.

The overall Budget for the Ministry of National Security increased by $10.9 million to $126.9 million.

The Co-ordinated Crisis Response Team, an arm of the Gang Violence Reduction Team, is mobilised immediately following serious violent incidents.

Mr Weeks said it had been activated after 28 violent incidents, where people had required hospital treatment, while there was one additional community activation in response to “heightened tensions”.

“In total, the [CCRT] team delivered 104 targeted post-incident support sessions to survivors, close friends and immediate family members impacted by violence,” Mr Weeks said.

He added that professional services under the department had received an increase of $1,098,000, with $687,664 to be used towards antiviolence messaging, educational bursaries and counselling services.

Also under professional services, $30,000 went towards the Mothers on a Mission group for mothers of victims of gang violence.

There was $26,590 earmarked for a safe house, airfare and emergency passports for individuals in imminent danger of gang violence.

Mr Weeks said: “The Gang Violence Reduction Team continues to stand as a beacon of resilience and transformation, leading Bermuda’s fight against gang violence and youth disenfranchisement, in a time where communities face deep-rooted social inequalities, fractured family systems and barriers to opportunity.

“Leroy Bean has remained unwavering in his mission to intervene, uplift and empower. The Gang Violence Reduction Team is not simply a response mechanism, it is a force of intentional change”

The team has been embedded in schools, communities, workplaces and homes.

Mr Weeks said: “Schools often serve as recruitment grounds for gang activity and the team has amplified its school presence.”

The team also played a lead role in the National Violence Reduction Strategy, which Mr Weeks described as “a bold step forward in addressing violence in our community, through prevention, intervention and rehabilitation”.

The strategy was tabled on November 15 and passed with the full support of the House after a debate on December 6.

Mr Weeks said the strategy has prioritised education and job training.

A Stop the Violence Campaign which began in March 2025 is to collaborate on a multimedia campaign featuring video reels and podcasts, student-led campaigns, mental health and antiviolence messaging.

Mr Weeks added: “We have a plan to recognise that safe spaces are essential for prevention.

“To that end, the National Violence Reduction Strategy is also funding youth-centred organisations.”