Tourist forced to fight prowler in her room

A South African tourist had to fight off a prowler who chased her from her room.

The 43-year-old was woken at her St. George?s guest property by a noise at the front door but did not find anything suspicious until she returned to her room and found the man lying next to her bed.

She fled screaming but was caught by the intruder who tried to cover her mouth with his hand until she bit his fingers.

Her screams woke other tourists in the complex and the attacker ran off with the victim?s purse containing $200 and other currencies.

The mugger is black, in his 20s, about five foot, ten inches tall and wore white basketball sneakers, a large baggy white t-shirt and blue three-quarter length jeans.

The woman suffered minor injuries to her elbow and feet when she fell over while fleeing her assailant.

Witnesses and those with information should call St. George?s Criminal Investigation Department on 297-1122.

Middle-aged man arrested for indecent act

A 41-year-old man has been arrested after performing an indecent act in front of a female tourist at Horseshoe Bay on Tuesday morning

The 43-year-old woman reported the act to a lifeguard who confronted the culprit who fled, only to return later when the Police were there to arrest him. He was taken to Hamilton Police station and detained.

New marine resources brochure out

The Minister of the Environment has announced that an updated brochure on marine resources is now available to the public.

The Minister, Neletha Butterfield, said the new document is user friendly and aims to educate the public about marine conservation issues.

?The long-awaited second edition of this brochure ? first published in 1990 ? incorporates the latest amendments to the Fisheries Regulations and is fully illustrated to make it easier for members of the public to identify fish and shells which are currently under regulation,? Ms Butterfield said.

The brochure includes the locations of 29 areas protected year-round. A year-round protection order means that taking any fish from the area is prohibited. Most of the areas protected year-round are wrecks of vessels, though some are popular scuba diving sites.

The brochure also outlines Bermuda?s laws regarding spear fishing, lobster diving, protected species and general fishing restrictions.

?These beautifully printed brochures are a valuable, handy reference and are available from the Ministry Headquarters, the Department of Environmental Protection, or at the numerous outlets catering to marine-oriented activities such as dive shops and marinas,? Ms Butterfield said.

Make May 24 a safe holiday

Bermuda Day organisers are getting serious about safety to ensure this year?s May 24 celebration will be a ?Bermudaful? one.

The Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport held a press conference on Wednesday in Bernard?s Park to inform the public of the safety precautions to be implemented next week.

Organisers from the Marathon Derby, Sinclair Packwood Memorial Cycle Race, the In-Line Skaters, Junior Heritage Classic Race, Bermuda Police Service, St. John?s Ambulance, Bermuda Fire Service, Department of Youth Sport and Recreation and Community and Cultural Affairs were all present for the windy mid-day press conference.

Nineteen Parade Marshalls ? ten travelling on motorcycles and nine on foot ? will be controlling the event on May 24 while equipped with two-way radios, it was announced. In addition, 20 soldiers from the Bermuda Regiment will be on duty.

Police have also arranged to have a full complement of officers to reflect the high volume of people expected to attend the events.

?We don?t want to create an unnecessary environment of panic. We will have a rise in Police to deal with any eventualities,? said Police Media Relations Officer Dwayne Caines.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race, followed by the In-Line skaters, the Marathon Derby and the Junior Classic. Races will wrap-up at Bernard?s Park with an after-party, expected to end at 7.30 p.m.