Officers from the New York City Gang Unit are to come to the Island to help in the investigations into five gun murders.

This afternoon it emerged that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an Island resident, contacted Government before Christmas to offer help.

Minister of Public Safety David Burch announced the move this afternoon at a press conference.

Senator Burch said: “Government has accepted the offer from the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, of assistance of officers from the NYC Police Department Gang Unit.”

The Minister explained: “He (Mayor Bloomberg) rang the Premier, as a resident of Bermuda and someone who has a keen interest in the safety of Bermuda.

“He is a friend and said, ‘We probably can help. Get your Commissioner to talk to the head of our Gang Unit’. They talked before Christmas.”

The NYC officers will assist investigations into the recent murders rather than on-the-beat policing, due to the differences between Bermuda/UK and US law enforcement.

Five men — including four in the last month — have been gunned down. The latest shooting was on Sunday when 34-year-old Perry Puckerin was shot dead at the Hamilton Parish Workman’s Club.

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.