Holding cells at Hamilton Police Station were overflowing in the wake of a weekend of ramped-up police activity across the island.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said some arrested individuals were housed in a wing normally used by the Department of Corrections during court opening times to hold their detainees before and after appearances.

The spokesman told The Royal Gazette: “The BPS detention facilities contain a total of 27 holding cells, including five located at Southside Police Station.

“There are 22 cells at Hamilton Police Station including one wing which, during court hours, is used by corrections to hold their detainees prior to and after court appearances.

“Up to 27 individuals can be held in the cells when all cells are operational and a maximum of eight individuals in the ‘bullpen’ area of the detention facility at Hamilton Police Station, which is a temporary holding area.

“The cells at the station, which during court opening hours are utilised by the Department of Corrections, can be brought online.”

He added: “There has been an increase in arrests due to increased policing activity in the current climate.

“This, alongside other proactive policing initiatives, is a contributing factor.”

The spokesman said the cells get full “periodically, usually over a long holiday weekend or during special operations”.

Asked whether more cells needed to be available for the holding of arrested individuals, the spokesman described present quarters as “adequate”.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes told The Royal Gazette this month that rising knife crime in Bermuda was being addressed through more stop-and-search efforts.

There has also been heightened gun and gang activity including the recent fatal shootings of Janae Minors, Natrae Eversley and Nakai Robinson, along with the attempted murder of a third individual.

The details came after police released figures on arrests made over the weekend.

A 19-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested after they were found with knives in separate incidents. The male was arrested in Pembroke on Saturday and the woman was arrested in Devonshire on Sunday.

They were two of several made as the BPS executed a “comprehensive weekend policing plan” under the direction of Acting Chief Inspector Anthony Smith, of the tactical operations division.

Officers also executed a search warrant at a residence on St Monica’s Road in Pembroke at 9.35pm on Friday during which they seized several items including a quantity of suspected controlled drugs.

As a result, a 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply as well as on active warrant

At 1.35am on Sunday, police arrested a man for driving under the influence after finding him asleep at the wheel of a parked car with its lights on and engine running on Harbour Road near the junction with Tamarind Vale in Warwick.

Police also noted the previously reported arrest of a 19-year-old male suspect for the murder of Ms Minors and the attempted murder of an 18-year-old man.

The BPS have been publicising their efforts via social media.

In one post over the weekend, the service warned: “Do not drive impaired. Make sure your vehicle is properly licensed and insured. Make sure your driver’s licence is current. Slow down. Do not carry any weapons. If you knowingly have outstanding warrants, please visit the Hamilton Police Station.”