Police have received almost 40 reports of firearms-related incidents this year — and have recovered four guns.

At a press conference this afternoon into a shooting on Wednesday in Warwick where a 25-year-old man was injured, Police revealed that of the 37 reports, 13 were confirmed where a gun was present.

Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels, officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Unit, also revealed this afternoon that a number of initiatives have been put in place to help combat gun crime, including:

* A 24/7 firearms response

* Creation of a Gang and Firearms Team

* Consolidation and increase in personnel in various Bermuda Police Service units such as the Gang and Firearms and Intelligence

* Specific targeting and high visibility Policing in areas where firearm incidents are most likely to occur, using a more robust style Intelligence-led Policing model, geared to both prevent incidents from occurring and more effectively target and apprehend offenders

* Development of closer and more formalised working relationships with various partnering agencies, both locally and overseas.

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.