Strict new measures to combat violence, drugs and underage drinking in Bermuda's night clubs were revealed yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

The Central Liquor Licensing Board and Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves agreed on a raft of hard-line conditions to send a message that unless night clubs took measures to curb brawling inside and outside their premises, licenses would not be renewed.

From next year, all night clubs on the Island will have to have surveillance cameras, metal detectors, adequate security officers and on-site alcohol-testing machines.

Starting immediately, every club must take a harder stance against underage drinking, mainly by enforcing age limits on patrons.

Yesterday, in Magistrates Court Chief Insp. Anthony Mouchette, Supt. Sinclair White and the liquor licensing board asked Mr. Greaves to pass the new conditions.

Mr. Greaves backed the new measures, but said because of the expense of implementing surveillance cameras and metal detectors, clubs would have one year to put those changes in place.

However, the magistrate said identifying underage drinkers would go into effect immediately.

Chief Insp. Mouchette said those clubs that did not comply "stand to lose their licenses."

He said he was recommending to the licensing board that if an establishment did become a trouble spot, their trading hours could be reduced.

He said fighting in and outside of clubs, a growing use of weapons, drug abuse and high numbers of drink drivers, brought about the new licensing stipulations.

The on-site alcohol testing machines can be used by customers leaving the clubs who wish to check if they are within the legal drink-drive limit.

However Chief Insp. Mouchette told The Royal Gazette that the test was not fool-proof and those people who passed it, but then failed the Police breath test, would still be prosecuted.

As part of the new clamp down on licensed premises, all staff and managers must attend training sessions held by Bermuda Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service (BRASS) and Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA).

Last night The Royal Gazette spoke to several club managers and owners on the Island and all backed the crackdown. However, some said they already had some of the measures in place.

The general manager of Club 40, Kevin Burrows, said: "We body-search individuals and check purses for weapons.

"We have metal detectors, but we have not used them as yet. We also have security guards on hand for any problems and we have cameras.

"We are also looking at taking a picture of patrons' identification so that if anything comes back to us we are safe. On the question of cost, we feel that it must be taken into account to keep our patrons safe."

Rick Olson, owner of The Beach and Club 40 said: "We have no problems here - we have nine cameras."

Gladwin Ming, owner of the Spinning Wheel, said: "We have had a walk through metal detector for five years.

"Also, seven to ten cameras operating, with security watching the video at all times. I think the new rules are a very good thing."

The Central Liquor Licensing Board panel consists of George Morris, Ralph York and Scott Pearman.

In January this year The Royal Gazette reported that during the first month of 2002, Police responded to 14 disturbances where knives had been involved, eight resulting in injury.

In December, there were 17 incidents where blades where used, and Police said most attacks with knives and weapons happened on a Friday and Saturday night, mostly involving people outside nightclubs.