Public Safety and Housing Minister David Burch has denied Government only acted to revamp St. George's Police station after Opposition pressure.

This week he pledged St. George's Police station, currently infested with cockroach and termites, would be revamped and would open 24 hours a day within months.

Last Wednesday Opposition United Bermuda Party candidate Kenneth Bascome pledged to restore a round-the-clock Police presence in the Old Town if his party won the December 18 general election.

St. George's is a key election battleground with the parish having four marginal seats in what is expected to be a very tight election.

Sen. Burch said: "As far back as 2003, this Government has repeatedly stated that St. George's would have a fully functional Police Station. The timing of renovations was always tied to the completion of the Southside Police Station."

He said that in a press conference less than two months ago he had updated the public with plans which involved meeting with key stakeholders.

"Later, on October 31, when I appeared on the ZBM People's Show with Everest Da Costa, I again reiterated the plans for St. George's Police Station.

"You may note that the above dates are before November 2 ¿ the date on which a General Election was called."

He said the renovations of the St. George Police Station are the responsibility of the landlord, the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

"As the client I have offered every assistance to accelerate the project ¿ thus the involvement of the Hustle Truck workers while the contract is put out to tender."

Asked why Works and Engineering Building Surveyor Dennis Reid had said it was too early to predict exactly when the station would reopen because he had only been contacted about the project last Thursday, Sen. Burch said talks had been done at a higher level.

A UBP spokesman said last night: "The reality is that the people of St. George have been calling persistently for greater Police presence in the old town while the incidence of crime has grown.

"The Minister can spin all he wants, but the fact is he is trying to create an image of action and responsiveness where there has been none.

"We think everyone sees it for what it is ¿ a last-minute pre-election scramble to cover up a history of inaction that dates back to 2002 when former Premier Jennifer Smith first promised to renovate the station."