THE brother of an architect mugged and beaten last month has voiced his outrage at Bermuda's 'thug' culture – and the 'blatant discrimination' against expat workers, who are seemingly the target of the island's worsening crime wave.

Grant Bulley's brother Christopher was attacked by two robbers on Richmond Road in Pembroke on November 16, his face smashed in with bike helmets.

The two perpetrators, described by police as young black men, took off on foot with his bag and watch, leaving the New Zealand-born architect bleeding on the ground with a shattered cheekbone.

Area resident Chris Buchanan found Mr. Bulley on his doorstep and called 911, but later told The Royal Gazette he was "appalled at the response" from Bermuda's emergency services, which he described as "nonchalant".

Now, as victim Christopher Bulley prepares to travel to Europe imminently for further treatment for his injuries, his brother Grant has called for "urgent action" to halt the epidemic of violent crime in Bermuda, which he believes is already damaging the island's reputation irreparably.

In a letter sent this week to Louise Jackson, MP for the area where the attack took place, Grant Bulley condemns Bermuda's authorities for failing to contact his family immediately regarding his brother's condition.

"We were shocked to get news that my brother Christopher Bulley, an architect working in Bermuda was viciously attacked, beaten up and robbed in your constituency," he writes.

"It took three days to finally get news of this attack to our family. I appreciate we live in New Zealand, half way around the world but still I find it incredible that the neither your police or anyone else in Bermuda thought to pick up a phone and let us know of Christopher's condition. How bad is that!"

Grant Bulley believes the discrimination against expats in Bermuda – including the use of the term 'guest worker' – will hurt the island's reputation, and its prosperity in the long run.

"The headline and article in The Royal Gazette, 'Guest worker's face smashed in mugging', makes chilling reading," he writes.

"Reading further online and in your local newspapers there seems to be an increasing trend in violent crime and that visitors and 'guest workers' (what a discriminatory term!) seem to be the target.

"In a time of globalisation where increasingly resources are not local, blatant discrimination and news like this travels fast and will no doubt impact on Bermuda's prosperity and future. This incident has forever altered the way I and I'm sure a lot of people from around the world will view Bermuda."

In his letter, Grant Bulley thanked Pembroke South West MP Mrs. Jackson, who has visited Christopher in hospital, for her efforts in assisting in his brother's recovery.

Mrs. Jackson described Bermuda's crime wave as "out of control", and told the Mid-Ocean News that her constituency has seen several robberies and muggings in recent months. She added that she is particularly concerned given the high proportion of elderly residents in the Richmond Road and Rosemont Avenue areas, many of them single or living alone.

Mr. Bulley also thanked Bermudians who have offered his brother help during his time in the hospital – adding that "trying times like these seem to bring out the best in people".

He believes, however, that increased vigilance is required on Bermuda's streets if we are to have any chance of saving the island from "a small minority of thugs".

"This incident is just not acceptable in any location never mind beautiful Bermuda," he said.

"We and no doubt anyone who has been to Bermuda sincerely hope that you can turn a corner on recent events and will be watching with keen interest. Bermuda is far too special a place to accept being hijacked by a small minority of thugs."