For Inspector Stuart Crockwell, who has headed the PSU since it began operations in January this year, Saturday night was par for the course in Policing.

He said: "Tonight has been busy, but we knew it was going to be because we had this big reggae concert at Clearwater Beach, as well as the usual Saturday night activity. But this is not unusual - this is what we do.

"Bermuda is small so word gets about that we are out in force. Once they see us out on the streets hitting the hotspots, the word goes around and people know that we may be heading their way. Some people will get rid of their stuff when they hear that, but others will keep it on them.

"The drug issue in Bermuda is massive. A lot of crime comes from drugs. We could hit hot spots every day and still come up with drugs.

"But people no longer keep drugs on their belts like they used to, they bury it under the ground or hide it in trees.

"That's why the drug dog is such a fabulous addition to our team."

While searching vehicles outside Clearwater Beach, officers found two knives. One was contained in the pull-out tape cassette holder in the dashboard of the car, and the other was on a man being searched.

When asked why he was carrying the weapon, the man said: "I'm not going to lie to you - I carry it for protection."

Insp Crockwell said that too, was all too common: "Weapons are a big occurrence. Carrying for protection is a verse that we hear all the time.

"The frightening element of that is that they are going to nightclubs or other arenas where there are lots of people."

The inspector said there was "no doubt" that Bermuda saw many more knife attacks than were reported to Police.

"There are a lot more knife attacks than we find out about. There is no doubt about that. A lot of it will probably be over drugs.

"But drugs have always been here. It has been like this through my whole 21 years."