Police are warning the public to be vigilant when it comes to home security after an increase in the number of break-ins around the Island.

But Police said they "have had some success with members of the community reporting suspicious activity to Police" and are encouraging the public to contact them if anyone is seen "behaving suspiciously" around your home.

"Please, get a good description of the individual, what they are wearing and also try to secure the number of the vehicle they were using and what direction they were heading in," Police said.

They advised the public to lock all doors and windows before retiring for the night or leaving the premises. Storing valuable in a safe or safety deposit box is also a good idea, Police said.

"Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity. Take away the opportunity and lesson your chances of becoming a victim," Police advised.

Workman airlifted to Johns Hopkins

The 20-year-old workman who fell 15 feet from a ladder on Thursday has been airlifted to Johns Hopkins in Boston for treatment.

The worker was treated for a concussion and a broken wrist after falling from a ladder at a home near Beach Cove in Tuckers Town where he was working. His condition is critical.

And the Belco employee who fell 30 feet out of a bucket truck in a freak accident Wednesday is reported to be in stable condition.

The victim, 35, is in the Intensive Care Unit at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Workers told that the victim had stopped breathing after plunging 20 feet, narrowly missing three vehicles and a wall.

Tourist injured in six vehicle pile up

A 29-year-old tourist is in hospital after being involved in a collision with three motor cycles, a van, and a car over the weekend.

The serious road traffic accident took place at noon yesterday at the Rural Hill Roundabout.

The 29-year-old tourist was travelling with a passenger on the back of a cycle when he tried to negotiate the round about but lost control of his vehicle. As a result two motorcycles tried to avoid the fallen tourist but were hit by a van.

The visitor is being treated for serious lacerations to the leg and face while the 59-year-old man riding on one of the cycles is being treated for injuries to the leg. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening and no one else appeared to be injured in the crash.

Driver loses control ? ends up underwater

A 29-year-old Paget man lost control of his car yesterday afternoon after hitting an embankment and plunging into the water.

The driver was travelling west on Scaur Hill when he tried to negotiate the bend but lost control of the vehicle.

He managed to escape without injury. Anyone with information is asked to call P.c. Akimmola at 234-1010.

Chef Ming's condition improves

Well- known chef Fred Ming remains in the Intensive Care Unit at the King Edward VII Memorial hospital but his condition is improving. Mr. Ming was fighting for his life after a serious road traffic accident on South Shore Road in Smiths last week. His condition at the moment is stable but still critical said his wife Charlotte Ming yesterday.

The public is asked to keep "praying for a miracle" said Mrs. Ming. Mr. Ming's bike collided with another cycle on South Shore Road near the Collectors Hill Apothecary. Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should contact P.c. Shantia Furbert at 297-1122.

Visitor's money stolen from room

Two visitors staying at a Middle Road, Southampton hotel had money stolen out of a wallet on Saturday afternoon when they left their room for a few minutes.

The guests, who were staying in the same room told Police that someone had taken money out of their wallets while they stepped out of the room briefly. The female tourist said she placed her wallet in a top dresser drawer allowing the thief to take an undisclosed amount of money out of it. Inquiries into this incident are underway.

Housebreaker used flashlight

A thief who broke into two Devonshire apartments and crept around using a flashlight got away after both residents awoke and noticed his presence.

Police attended the Middle Road apartment at 5 a.m. on Sunday in response to a report of a breaking and entering. The complainant who lives in the upper apartment stated that he was awakened by lights shining from a flashlight in his home.

He did not think anything of it and went back to sleep. Under an hour later the complainant heard a loud scream from the lower apartment as the occupants noticed someone in the unit lurking under the cover of darkness. The residents then realised a thief had gained entry into both units. Police say it appears that nothing was stolen. Inquiries are underway.

Allow more home births ? poll

Most respondents to a poll feel Bermuda should be "more home birth-friendly".

Of the 733 people taking part in the poll this week on www.theroyalgazette.com, 54.6 percent said "yes" when asked "Should Bermuda be more home birth-friendly".

Just 19.2 percent said "no", while 16.1 percent said they did not care and 10.1 percent said they did not know. A debate on home births was launched after well-known dancer and gym-owner Sophia Cannonier gave birth at home three weeks ago.

Obstetricians in Bermuda generally discourage home births, while midwives have expressed frustration at policies which make it difficult for them to deliver babies.

Corporation to announce election

The Corporation of Hamilton will announce a date for the next nomination for the position of a Common Councillor tomorrow.

Secretary to the Corporation of Hamilton, Kelly Miller said yesterday that the Corporation will make an announcement for the date of the second nomination day.

The date will be decided at the Corporation's weekly meeting on Tuesday, October 12. An extraordinary municipal election will have to decide the post, as no one came forward to be nominated for the position on Thursday, September 30.

Elections must be held in a month or two, returning officer Justin Williams said two weeks ago. But in order for the elections to go ahead another nomination must be held, Ms Miller said yesterday.

"The election shares certain commonalties with a Government election in having the polls open for certain hours and that you have to be on the voters registration," she said.

Court date likely after accident

A drunk driver put a teenager in hospital after colliding into the back of her bike, hurling her into the windscreen of the car in front of her. Police said that they were at the scene of the accident on North Shore Road in Devonshire at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday.

"It appears that a 19 year-old woman was travelling west along North Shore when a motorcar that was travelling in the same direction collided with the rear of her cycle causing the rider of the cycle to hit the windscreen of the car.

"This resulted in the 19 year-old woman to fall to the ground. She was taken to KEMH where she is being treated for neck and shoulder injuries. However, the driver of the motorcar was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst impaired. The 42 year-old man was conveyed to the Hamilton Police Station where he was detained," Police said.

A spokesperson at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital said the teenager has been treated and released.