Efforts to steer young people away from violence are making progress, the national security minister said this morning, but more must still be done.

Delivering an update on the National Violence Reduction Strategy, Michael Weeks highlighted that while he shares the public’s desire to see genuine change, “meaningful progress takes time”.

The minister added: “This strategy represents a long-term shift in how we deal with violence in our country.

“It is not a slogan and it is not a show. It is a structured plan that is being worked on every day across ministries, agencies and community partners.

“We are seeing progress, but we are far from finished.

“We will keep moving forward, keep tightening our approach and keep working with the public to bring down violence and antisocial behaviour.

“Bermuda deserves nothing less.”

Mr Weeks said the modernisation of the Parental Responsibility Act would introduce practical and supportive requirements for families to help ensure young people are put on the right track.

He said: “This work matters because when we provide support to parents and families, we reduce the chance that young people fall into violence.

“Across the three town halls, many residents spoke honestly about parents needing more support. We heard that clearly and these reforms reflect what the community has been seeking.”

Mr Weeks added that real progress had also been made on early intervention efforts with the Inter-agency Gang Enforcement Team reconvened and given an expanded mandate to create a preventive approach.

He said: “The team will be used as a case management tool where agencies share information, track referrals and provide wraparound support to individuals who are at the highest risk of serious violence.

“This type of unified structure has not existed before in Bermuda and it takes time to get all agencies working in a synchronised manner, but that co-ordination is now taking shape.”

He said the Gang Violence Reduction Team continued its work to address the root causes of violence, providing programmes to offer support and opportunities for education and employment.

Mr Weeks said much of the team’s work cannot be publicised, but that it is “meaningful and it definitely saves lives” and helped to form the violence reduction strategy

He highlighted the body’s overseas mission work, stating that prior to the pandemic the GVRT brought seven people from different rival groups to Malawi.

Mr Weeks said: “These young men had deep divides at home, but they were placed in an environment where they had to live together, work together and rely on each other.”

He said the programme was a “powerful intervention” measure that helped to build bonds adding that another overseas mission is being planned with a larger group.

He said: “These trips are part of a deliberate strategy to change mindsets and break down rivalries in a practical, life-changing way.”

Bishop Leroy Bean, leader of the Gang Violence Reduction Team, added that those who took part in the previous mission are doing well.

He said: “I can report that out of the seven, seven are doing well. They got jobs, some of them have started families and are not involved in any antisocial behaviour.”

Mr Weeks said the recent town hall meetings provided an opportunity for the public to put forward their thoughts and feelings, adding that several issues raised aligned directly with the strategy.

He said: “Feedback on parenting, early intervention, community involvement and trauma support is shaping how we apply the strategy in real life.”

Mr Weeks said that a National Violence Reduction Strategy Co-ordinator is expected to start work in January, providing cross-ministry co-ordination, improved data collection and to monitor the delivery of the strategy.

However, he emphasised that a united front is required to curb gang violence and the community must play its part.

He said: “The police cannot carry this alone. The Government cannot carry this alone.

“No law, no tactic and no enforcement plan will work if parents, families, neighbourhoods and the wider community do not stand with us.”