Bermuda’s gangs are in the process of reshuffling and will emerge a “more organised, robust force”, according to community activist Carlton Simmons.

He told the joint select committee on violent crime and gun violence today:?“As we continue to apply pressure - and particularly police pressure - they will learn more sophisticated techniques.

“They are organised but they will get more organised. They will get more determined, they will get more desperate.”

Mr Simmons, president of the Youth on the Move charity, said Bermuda was broadly divided into about four or five territories controlled by separate gangs.

Many young men were unable to move freely around the Island due to safety concerns, he said, and his charity was unsure how to reach those who could not come into Hamilton.

“Until travel is not restricted, we are going to need satellite offices to assist these young men,” he said.

Mr Simmons said non-government agencies could do much to tackle rising gang and gun crime, so long as Government gave them the resources.

“Right now, we are fully funded by the private sector,” he said. “We have been approached by Government on a number of instances for assistance. I think it’s strange that we are often referred to as a resource in the community but not enough to fund.”

The committee also heard today from members of Bermuda Football Association’s executive, former Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith and former PLP MP?Delaey Robinson.

The BFA revealed it was looking into setting up a database for troublesome fans who are banned from attending matches.

See tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for more on today’s meeting.