Darrin Simons, the Police Commissioner, called for the community to do their part after a 38-year-old man was shot several times on Saturday night and is still recovering in hospital.

Mr Simons said police had ramped up patrols and highlighted that the shooting, shortly after midnight on Court Street outside a popular establishment, was not reported to police by the public but heard by the officer on duty at Hamilton Police Station, who raised the alarm.

“No one called the police to report this incident.

“Early indications are that the rapid response by officers and their life-saving actions may well have prevented a more tragic outcome.”

Mr Simons appealed for the public’s assistance in investigations of recent gun incidents.

“When we work together, the evidence of our success is clear,” he said.

“Information provided by members of the public resulted in arrested suspects and recovered evidence for two recent firearms incidents.

“Thankfully, neither of these resulted in injury.”

Mr Simons said it was “understandable that residents would feel some unease in light of these brazen acts of criminality” but assured the public that police were “unrelenting in our efforts at making Bermuda safer”.

“There is now a heightened presence on the streets with officers from Community Policing redeployed to general patrol duties until the end of April.

“That redeployment is in addition to stepped up enforcement activity by the Gang Unit, the Police Support Unit and the Roads Policing Unit.

“However, we also need you to do your part by reporting criminal activity that may be taking place in your neighbourhoods, or that you are otherwise aware of.”