Government is seeking a meeting with taxi drivers who have labelled late night Front Street a no-go area because of increased violence.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public safety Randy Horton said: "I regret that some taxi operators have chosen not to travel on Front Street late at night because of the fear of violent attacks and muggings.

"The Government encourages members of the public to treat taxi operators with respect and will not tolerate "no go" areas in Bermuda.

"Accordingly, we invite the taxi operators to meet with the relevant Ministers in order to address any specific problems."

Last night Bermuda Taxi Owners Association spokesman Lee Tucker welcomed the fact Government wanted to meet on the issue of violence on Front Street which he said was affecting everybody.

He said drivers had to be selective in taking late night jobs on Front Street but often the Police weren't around if there was trouble.

But Opposition Transport spokesman Jamahl Simmons said Government was waffling on tackling crime.

He said: "Almost two years after Government promised to introduce tougher penalties for crimes committed with offensive weapons the leadership of this country continues to procrastinate and refuses to address community concerns regarding violent crime.

"Despite what Government has been saying about reported crime being down, people simply don't feel that enough is being done to address the rising tide of violent crime.

"While taxi drivers have an obligation to serve the needs of the public, it is understandable, but not condonable, that the rising tide of violence would force them to take protective measures.

"For years Bermudians have known that the areas affected by this boycott ? 42nd Street, Court Street, Middle Town and parts of Somerset have been wracked by crime and little to nothing has been done about it.

"Now the crime has spilled out of these areas and today in 2004 still, little to nothing is being done about it.

"Law abiding members of society should not be denied transportation for the actions of a violent few.

"The threats and violence faced by taxi operators is but a reflection of what is being faced by the larger society and is being reflected in the US State Department travel warning. It must be dealt with in as swift and serious a manner as possible."

Mr. Simmons continued: "Almost two years ago the PLP promised tougher penalties for crimes involving the use of offensive weapons.

"So far that promise hasn't been kept.

"Government has used a lot of anti-crime rhetoric lately, but failed to produce real solutions.

"We call on Government to keep their promise to the people and introduce the long awaited tougher penalties on crimes committed with an offensive weapon. We call for an increased, visible Police presence on the streets.

"We further ask Government to examine legislation in other jurisdictions which deal specifically with crimes against operators of public service vehicles, such as taxis."

But Mr. Horton hit back at Opposition suggestions that the Progressive Labour Party was waffling on crime.

Mr. Horton said Government had zero tolerance towards crime and that the Police Support Unit (PSU), which is trained to deal with violent offenders, has been working assiduously and successfully to counter criminal activity, particularly during the weekend.

"The PSU has been extremely successful, recording a significant increase in the number of arrests for perpetrators of violence, serious assault, robbery and possession of illicit drugs.

"A large number of these individuals have been charged with criminal offences while some are on Police bail while investigations continue.

"The Government is satisfied the investigative response of the Bermuda Police Service is swift, specific and targeted, including the deployment of armed officers where it has been justified.

"I wish to emphasise that there is legislation in place that deals with the issues raised by Mr. Simmons ? in particular, section 315 of the Criminal Code for offensive weapons and section 315A for prohibited weapons.

"The public should be aware that it is an offence for anyone to have in his possession an offensive weapon in any public place.

"An offensive weapon means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to someone or intended for such use. For instance, someone using a penknife in a threatening manner or someone using a golf club to threaten another is deemed to be in possession of an offensive weapon.

"The current legislation also specifies certain items to be prohibited weapons, such as flick knives, blowguns, crossbows, swordsticks or swordcanes, cobra batons, slingshots and 'non-chuckers'. Anyone who has any of these items in his possession, imports such an item or gives it to another faces the same penalties.

He said the maximum penalty for such an offence on sentence in the Magistrates' Court is 12 months' imprisonment or a fine up to $600 or both such imprisonment and fine.

The maximum penalty on sentence in the Supreme Court is two years imprisonment or a fine up to $1,250 or both such fine and imprisonment.

"The Government has promised legislation in relation to people who use these items in sports grounds whereby such persons would face extra penalties such as being banned from all sports grounds.

However Mr. Simmons said: "I think the Minister should re-read the Throne speech, while the issue of crime in sports grounds is important.

"We believe the focus should be, as in Throne Speech, on all crimes with offensive weapons."