Despite a record number of shootings in the last few months, Bermudians say the fear of violence isn't enough to deter them from celebrating Cup Match.

Instead, people on the streets of Hamilton told The Royal Gazette yesterday that what they were really worried about is the heat.

Allan "Oppie" Flood said that he intended to spend the day at his home or in the water to help escape the soaring temperatures.

"I used to love Cup Match, but I'm going 50," he said. "I can't take the heat.

"I work six or seven days a week, and the only thing that keeps me from the beach is a little road."

He said he felt confident the Police would be able to keep the west end safe.

"I think all these things will be well taken care of. If anything does happen, and I hope it doesn't, it'll be just a little scuffle."

Sheena Williams and Lorrie Furbert agreed, saying that they didn't intend to go to the game, but it was the heat rather than worries of violence that would keep them from the cricket pitch.

"I'm going to watch the game from the TV," Ms Furbert said. "It's too hot."

Ms Williams added: "I'm not concerned about violence up there. I'm not going to the game, but I will be in Sandys."

Colin Greaves said that while he is worried about the increase in violence throughout the Island, he feels that Cup Match will be safe.

"It is worrying, but I don't think anything is going to happen.

"I doubt I'll go up there, though. It's too hot."

Dejuan Landy agreed, saying: "I'm not going up there. Nothing to do with the violence, it's because of the heat.

"I'll watch it at home and support my team from there."

Ian Morrison said he had spoken with friends who were visiting from overseas about the violence, but he wasn't worried about safety.

"I don't think there will be any big incident during the game," he said.

"I figure I'm only going to be there in the daylight. I'm not going to be hanging out up there after it gets dark, so I'll be fine.

"I'm not too concerned. It's Cup Match, and people are going to be in the Cup Match spirit."

Brian Swan said that it's the cost of Cup Match that worries him more than the threat of violence.

"It's getting pretty costly to go down there," he said. "It used to be mostly public seating, but it seems to be getting more and more private.

"I'm not very concerned about anything happening, but maybe if something happens this year, it'll make me worry in the future."

Kent Simmons said he hasn't decided if he should go or not. He said he used to love Cup Match, but doesn't like the new rules being put in place this year.

"They have so many restrictions," he said.

"It used to be for the people, but now everyone just wants to make money. It's all commercial."

Regarding the threat of violence, he said: "Not at the game. There might be a squabble, but it's just a small minority doing it.

"We're safe. It's them against each other."

Jack Dillon and Ronnelle Simons said that people shouldn't allow the risk of violence to deter them from going out.

"You can't let something like that make a difference," Mr. Dillon said.

While he said he wasn't intending to go to the game, he said the reason was that he just doesn't like cricket.

"If it was the NFL playing, I would be up there, but it's just not for me."