The Minister of National Security said today she was “disturbed” by threats to neighbourhood safety after an East End incident that involved a gun.

Renee Ming spoke after events in St George’s, which included a reported home invasion and two vehicle fires.

Police confirmed earlier that a firearm was seized with several rounds of ammunition after the intrusion in the early hours of last Saturday.

Ms Ming said: “Speaking specifically to the home invasion, few acts of crime can be more frightening than to have the safety and peace of one’s home violently disturbed by someone brandishing a gun.

“It disturbs me that our homes and neighbourhoods are being threatened in this way by a lawless few and I encourage anyone who has any knowledge of this incident or any other such activities to please share what you know and co-operate with the Bermuda Police Service.”

She added: “On Monday I had an opportunity to discuss the weekend’s home invasion and firearm incident with the Bermuda Police Service and the Gang Violence [Reduction] Coordinator because it’s important for me to have a full debrief from those responsible for ensuring our public safety.

“I have every confidence that our uniformed services and the Gang Violence Reduction Team are dedicating the necessary resources to address the incidences.”

Fire crews responded to reports of a car explosion on Pain Lane, in St George’s just before 4.30am yesterday.

Six appliances and 12 firefighters arrived at the scene to find a Kia Sportage “fully engulfed in flames”.

Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service teams put out the fire and there were no injuries.

Crews also extinguished a car fire on Suffering Lane, in St. George’s on Sunday night.

Ms Ming said: “I wish to commend the Bermuda Police Service for working swiftly to arrest those responsible for the home invasion incident as well as the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in extinguishing the vehicle car fires.

“The cause of the fires continue to be investigated.”

She added: “Amid the current pandemic, which has brought with it stressors that all of Bermuda is being challenged with, the incidents of the past few days are quite disheartening.

“I wish to reaffirm that all key stakeholders are working hard to keep our communities safe from the pandemic and from senseless acts of crime.”

• Anyone with information on any of the East End incidents was asked to call 295-0011 or 211.

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