They're not exactly weapons of mass destruction, but prohibited and offensive weapons seized by Police in recent months could do some serious damage to a lot of people.

Police displayed the weapons at a press conference and issued warnings to troublemakers and reassurances to the law abiding public.

"We don't want to set off any alarm bells," said Sgt. Robert Cartwell. "Our job is to reassure the public. Bermuda is a safe and peaceful place and the Bermuda Police Service is committed to ensuring it stays that way.

"Anti-social behaviour or the carrying of weapons won't be accepted by the public, is not appreciated by our visitors and is not tolerated by the Bermuda Police Service."

Acting Insp. Kuhn Evans asked the public to do their part and exercise vigilance. Parents should question their children if they see them with weapons," he said.

"It takes a village to raise a kid and the Police Service is just a part of that village."

The dozens of weapons on display were seized within the last eight months and ranged from common household and farming items like a pair of scissors, a fork, baseball bats and machetes, to more exotic objects whose only purpose appeared to be inflicting human injury.

Most of the items, like the close to two dozen machetes, two crowbars, a couple of cricket bats and half a dozen baseball bats, were legal. But, explained Sargeant Cartwell, many of them were obtained in raids on some of the Island's "hot spots" and were clearly intended to cause harm.

"When we visit these hot spots the first priority is to establish who the owners are," he said. "Generally nobody puts their hands up so we take possession of them."

About 11 people, ranging from 14 to 50 years old, were arrested in connection with the weapons.The law makes a distinction between possessing an offensive weapon and possessing a prohibited weapon.

A list of ten categories of prohibited weapons, which include nunchakus, spiked wristbands and flick knives, is listed in Bermuda's Criminal Code and updated from time to time by an order of the Governor.

Offensive weapons may be legal but carrying them with the purpose of causing injury is not. Possession of offensive or prohibited weapons carries a fine of $600 or 12 months in prison upon summary conviction, or $1,250 or two years imprisonment on indictment.

Sgt. Cartwell said that entertainment venues and organisers had stepped up their security arrangements. "We are finding the culprits carrying weapons are discarding these weapons on our approach," he said.

Police raids often end up with more weapons than arrests. "We've found guys with machetes down their trouser legs," he said. "Some of these items have no other purpose than to cause injury. Some are daggers, throat-slicers. When we ask them they say it's for protection. There's no reason for anyone to carry a knife or anything for their protection."

Asked about the lone fork on display, he said: "You cannot overlook anything when you are looking for weapons. Anything can be a weapon."

The weapons will be destroyed under Police supervision as soon as possible, he said.