The Bermuda Alliance for Tourism has called for a zero-tolerance policy on crime which threatens tourism's livelihood.

Quoted in a special report on crime by the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism (BAT) the head of the Chamber of Commerce's Restaurant and Nightclub Division Phil Barnett he said money should be poured into stamping out crime.

He said: “We need to demand increased Policing and a Rudy Giuliani-style of leadership and policing. Our Police Service must consistently and unwaveringly apply the laws as written i.e. no begging, no drinking in public, no graffiti, no loud motorcycles, no dangerous driving, no speeding, no drug dealing openly - see Cambridge Road and what guests at Cambridge Beaches must endure.

“If we don't have the budget to do this, find the money - I would gladly see $2 million of the Tourism budget go to this type of initiative as I believe it would be money well spent on promoting Tourism.”

The report said those comments indicated the community has little faith in the Bermuda Police Service's ability to fight crime so BAT pledge it assistance.

It said crime this year was set to eclipse last year's figures and threatened the regeneration of tourism. The BAT report welcomed the creation of the Tourism Crime Unit by the Police service and pledged support.

But the report went further and called for tourism aides to patrol the area between Barnes Corner and the Paget stop lights which the Police had identified as a major danger area for visitors. The aides, travelling on scooters, would check in on hotels, beaches and other tourism spots and help visitors while keeping an eye on crime.

The report also called for the Police to make new assessments of safety at guest houses and for property owners to look at how they can design out crime.

Vagrants also cause concern for those in the tourism business with a call for greater enforcement of laws stopping street begging.

Nightclub owners said there was no trend of visitors being targeted in their premises but they noted criminals waited in the streets outside to target vulnerable patrons who had been drinking.

Club operators also complained of a lack of Police presence in the City of Hamilton and around their establishments.

The report also called for the Island's leaders to come together to make a public stand against crime and it urged stiffer penalties for assaults, handbag snatches and all violent crimes against visitors.