Debt in Bermuda continues to grow at a "tremendous" rate and one of the biggest problems is people running up massive cell phone and pager bills, according to a debt collection firm.

Bermudians are continuing to live beyond their means, although many families are genuinely struggling with "astronomical" rents, said Eintou Carmichael, President of the Bermuda Debt Collection Agency.

"It is a terrible thing to say, but it (debt) has been growing tremendously. It is continuous and gradual and we never see a slowdown," she told The Royal Gazette.

"In some cases people are not budgeting their money well. There is a big problem with some of them paying astronomical rents.

"There are a lot of families or single individuals with children and they may not have child support to make ends meet.

"There are a lot of people who are living beyond their means. Bermudians dress very nicely and look very nice, and that is a cost, and rather than trying to live within their budget they are saying they will use their credit cards instead.

"One of the biggest increases in the last 18 months has been people with pagers and cell phones not paying their bills."

Ms Carmichael said she did not, however, have exact figures for the amount of debt her company is pursuing.

No one is available for comment this week at Bermuda Credit Association.

Power tools stolen

An unknown culprit stole several power tools from a Pembroke residence some time between Sunday night and Monday morning.

A 63-year-old man told Police that someone broke into the shed at his Cemetery Lane home and stole an electric Skil planer, an electric DeWalt drill, a Black and Decker drill and a Skil jig saw. Inquiries are underway.

CID on the move

St. George's CID has moved back into its base above St. George's Post Office following renovation work.

The unit has been operating out of the airport Police station. St. George's CID can be reached on 297 0377 or 297 3020 or through St. George's Police station's main line on 297 1122.