Film-makers and other artists were yesterday warned to ask for permission before they set up at City of Hamilton-owned premises.

Dwayne Caines, the City’s chief operating officer, said: “We promote and endorse creative expression in Bermuda. We believe that it is a hallmark of a dynamic community.

“We would just like anyone who wishes to use any of our properties to simply make contact with us and acquire the appropriate permission.”

The advice came after the Bermuda Police Service said last Saturday that an image seen on social media – showing what appeared to be an exercise that involved armed officers – was faked.

A BPS spokesman added that the picture, taken outside City Hall, appeared to have been captured during filming for a production.

Mr Caines said the City had been “unaware that there was a production event happening” on Saturday.

But he added: “What we don’t want to do at the City is make a mountain out of a molehill.”

Mr Caines said that information about rental of City property was available on the City’s website.

A police spokesman last Saturday: “The BPS wishes to make it clear this was not a police exercise and there was no involvement by the BPS or any of its officers.”

He added: “The BPS is now urgently seeking to make contact with the individuals identified as being responsible for the staging of this event, as to undertake such activity, without proper permissions and controls can cause unnecessary and very real alarm and distress to the public, not least with the enactment involving the use of imitation firearms.

“Indeed, the public should be aware that impersonating a police officer and possession of replica firearms without the proper authority or permission are offences punishable under law.”

The spokesman added yesterday the incident was still under investigation.