A lot of frustrated people spent two hours waiting outside Magistrates' Court yesterday morning waiting for the all-clear signal after yet another bomb threat was called in to Police.

"Bermuda's boring, bye," said one annoyed by-stander. "This is boring."

Police media spokesman Dwayne Caines said a call warning of seven bombs in the Magistrates' Court area was received by Police at ten minutes to ten in the morning, just prior to the beginning of Plea Court. Immediately the Magistrates', Supreme and Family Courts were evacuated.

Bomb threats directed at the courts are becoming more regular - yesterday's threat was the fourth this year. "We usually get them about the same time," Head Bailiff Tracey Kelly said.

Portions of Court Street, Reid Street and Parliament Street were closed to traffic and pedestrians, at one point causing a traffic jam which extended from the courthouse to the Shell gas station on East Broadway. Magistrates' Court staff and personnel gathered at outside the courthouse for a head count before being told by Mr. Kelly they could leave and return at 11 a.m.

Mr. Caines said the Fire service supplied eight men and the Police service 15, including members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. Although fire personnel arrived on the scene and Police closed down the roads within minutes of the threat, it was not until almost 10.30 that the first bomb officer was observed entering Magistrates' Court, and not until 11.15 that official Police tape was stretched across Parliament Street blocking off access to the courthouse.

"Every nook and proverbial cranny" in Magistrates' Court was searched, said Mr. Caines, including trash cans and the bushes outside. At about 11.45 investigators were spotted concluding the search up on the roof of the courthouse.

Five minutes later the all-clear was given. No bombs were found.

When asked if this was the first time the courthouse had been threatened with multiple bombs, Mr. Caines said he could not speak to the specifics of previous matters, however he said he could confirm this time in particular the caller had mentioned seven bombs in the area.

"Security is under advisement as we speak," he said when the idea of installing metal detectors in the courthouses was suggested as a preventative measure.

As for leads to the identity of any of those making bomb threats over the past several months, Mr. Caines said: "It's a pretty complicated process to find out," adding that the callers generally said their piece then hung up quickly.

However he said, Police are appealing for anyone with any information at all to contact Police on 295-0011 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

The penalty for such an offense is a $2,800 fine or six months in jail, or both.