St. George's residents have started a petition to demand that Government reverses its decision to close the full-time Police station in the Old Town, which has been hit by violence in the past week.

One of the petition organisers, United Bermuda Party senator Kim Swan, accused Government of not consulting the community and of hiding from making a political decision.

The petition, which will be sent to St. George's North MP Premier Jennifer Smith, has already gathered several hundred signatures. Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister told The Royal Gazette on Friday night that Government is sticking with the decision to close down the full-time station in the Old Town and building a new station at Southside.

But he said there will still be community beat officers who will be tasked to get to know the youngsters who have been causing the violence - which included two torched cars and an attempt to petrol bomb a Police car - to find out what is causing the problems.

Sen. Swan told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "This issue of the station is a political issue that needs to be addressed and the response of the leadership to law-abiding citizens sends a very bad message. "I said so in the Senate and I repeat it, the politicians are hiding behind the shields of public officers (the Police).

"The politicians have been noticeable by their silence on this issue, and on this issue we have been devoid of leadership.

"We need the leadership to come and talk to the community about this and when they did have the opportunity, a public meeting in St. David's last month, the Government didn't show up. At that meeting, I thanked the Police Commissioner (Jonathan Smith) for his efforts, but I said there were issues that were out of his hands, that were political issues.

"I can't say that I am optimistic (Government will change its mind). They have been a government that does things first and seeks consultation later when they are forced to do so.

"It's not good for the community, it doesn't send out a good message to the community, and I can't say I hold out much optimism, but I have a responsibility to communicate to bring the Government to a realisation of what is at stake."

Police said yesterday that there was a high uniformed presence over the weekend and the town was quiet.