Police appeal for community help against gangs

Police are calling on the community to come forward and help them deal with the gang violence which reared its ugly head again in broad daylight this weekend.

A man was left with 34 stitches in his head after a machete attack as a group of ten men battled with a variety of weapons on Devon Lane on Saturday afternoon.

A number of spectators were out on the street when 20 Police officers arrived to deal with the vicious fracas, and spokesman Dwayne Caines has appealed for them to come forward.

"There were a number of people out on the street at the time and we would urge anyone with any information to contact us," he said.

"We would like to see the community pull together on this to help us deal with this type of incident."

Four people were arrested on Saturday following the incident with court appearances expected soon.

Two cars and half-a-dozen weapons, including a machete, a baseball bat and other "unsophisticated street weapons" were also seized.

The incident arose following the alleged theft of some jewellery on Friday night at party in Devonshire Rec, although club representative contacted The Royal Gazette to state that the incident had nothing to do with the club.

Meanwhile the response to the weapons amnesty, now at its half-way point, seems to have slowed somewhat in the past few days.

The weekly figures released by Police revealed only a spear gun and two double-barrelled shotguns had been handed in the past week, although a rocket launcher casing was recovered last Monday.

Anyone with any information or who may have witnessed Saturday's incident should contact Police on 295-0011 or on the anonymous, confidential Crimestoppers line, 1-800-623-8477.

Demand high for Christmas charity

The Salvation Army's annual Christmas Appeal has begun and demand for assistance this season is expected to be significantly higher in the wake of Hurricane Fabian, divisional commander Major Lindsay Rowe said.

Major Rowe announced yesterday that the Army's community and family services department has already seen an increase in the number of families seeking help since the hurricane.

These families are experiencing problems paying household bills due to reduced employment hours associated with cutbacks when hotels and other businesses were forced to close.

The Major asked that the community respond to the increased need with generous contributions when they get appeal letters in the mail or meet up with a Salvationist and "kettle".

Last year the Salvation Army doled out $118,500 worth of provisions to 1,515 people (486 families). This included 1,750 toys for 615 children.

The Red Shield Appeal, which includes the Christmas appeal, funds the Salvation Army's community and services department and its various ministries.

For more information on the campaign call 292-0601 or drop off your donation to 92 Reid Street, Hamilton.

Seven arrested for DWI over the weekend

Thieves targeted Pembroke homes over the weekend, with seven residents reporting break-ins.

There were two incidents of breaking and entering in Hamilton parish, one in Sandys, one in Southampton, and one in Smith's.

Seven people were arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired over the weekend.

There were 13 damage only road traffic accidents, and seven resulting in injury.

Police also received two reports of prowling.

Thirsty thief hits Southampton

An electric tea kettle, DVD player, jewellery and a bottle of water were stolen from a Lighthouse Lane, Southampton home.

The incident happened between 9.15 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. on November 26.

Penalty phase of seatbelt law to kick in

Residents should be buckling up and getting used to the idea of wearing their seat belts, as the year-long grace period for the seatbelt law is coming to an end.

Road Safety Council chairman Dr. Joseph Froncioni told The Royal Gazette that the "penalty phase" of the law comes into effect on January 1, 2004.

He pointed out that the seat belt law officially started on January 1, 2003 and motorists were given the one-year grace period to get comfortable with the idea of buckling up.

In a recent article in The Royal Gazette, Dr. Fronicioni explained that even when driving slow, accidents can happen and seat belts can prevent serious injury.

The law now requires all front seat passengers to wear a seat belt.

Children under 14 should be seated in the backseat of the car and should be fitted with the appropriate seat belt.

While children younger than one, or weighing less than 20 pounds, should be fitted with an appropriate rear-facing child safety seat.

More parking bays available

With holiday shopping already underway the City of Hamilton will be chock full with drivers desperate for a good parking space in coming weeks.

Yesterday, however, the Corporation of Hamilton announced that approximately 100 parking bays have been re-opened and are available at Bull's Head Car Park.

The car park is still under renovation to expand the parking area which is not expected to be completed until next spring.

But the construction was deemed to be sufficiently advanced to safely re-open portions for parking.

The construction of the new top floor has reached a stage where it is possible to work on one half of the floor and park on the other half, and this section was re-opened.

UKrail service disrupted

Bermuda residents planning to travel by rail to parts of Britain over the Christmas period could face disruption following Network Rail's announcement that it will be closing a number of busy lines for maintenance.

The closures come on top of the near-total shutdown of the rail network on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with service limited to airport routes to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

The Great Western Main Line will be closed between Taunton and Tiverton from December 25 to 30.

The West Coast Main Line will shut between Stockport and Manchester from December 25 to 30. Existing works which have shut the section between Stafford and Crewe will continue till January 1.

The East Coast Main Line will be closed at Welwyn Garden City from December 25 to 28, and Sussex Coast main lines will be shut at Clapham Junction from December 25 to Saturday 27.

Network Rail is covering the gaps in the service by re-routing trains or with replacement buses.

Engineers will be working on over 100 other sections of the network during the Christmas and Boxing Day shutdown.

Belco crews working in Devonshire

Motorists are being advised that Bermuda Electric Light Company (Belco) crews will be working between Devonshire Post Office and Watlington Road West on Thursday to restore an overhead system.

The work is part of a rehabilitation programme instigated by Hurricane Fabian in September.

The work will be carried out between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and motorists are advised to avoid this section of Middle Road between these times.