The public fear crime is getting worse despite most people feeling safe in their own neighbourhoods, a survey has revealed. The public feel crime has increased over the past five years and will continue to do so.

One in four have been victim of crime in the past two years or had family member who had fallen victim.

Four in ten have had to contact Police to report a crime ? half of these to report a crime.

Rising youth violence was extremely concerning to 93 percent of those polled.

Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton, who unveiled the survey to the House of Assembly on Friday, said in the last nine months Police had been forced to deal with youth crime.

But he said many suspects had been sentenced or were awaiting trial. "I am pleased to report levels of violence have remained stable for the past nine months and that Police operations have recovered drugs and weapons."

Mr. Horton said although the public blamed youth violence on poor parental control and substance abuse they saw stronger laws and Policing as the solution.

"While Government approves the introduction of stronger laws in some instances and is always in support of a strengthened Police Service, it also recognises the necessity of strong social policies and programmes to counter negative trends and activities in the community.

"Government will be focussing on a number of initiatives and policies that will enhance its social agenda, policies designed to foster a more positive outlook generally in the community, with the resulting reduction in the number of acts of violence and other forms of lawlessness."

He said residents wanted more patrols, increased community involvement and better training.

Mr. Horton said: "While residents would like to see increased Police visibility and involvement, there is strong interest in becoming personally involved in community crime prevention programmes, such as neighbourhood watch programmes and community meetings."

He said the community were keen to help Police but less comfortable in testifying in court.

But he took heart from the willingness of Police to be involved in crime prevention.

Mr. Horton's statement revealed few actual figures from the survey.

These are promised later and the Commissioner has appointed a committee to address training and response times.

He said the public were not satisfied with response times but Mr. Horton said the solution might be an effort to improve or just a public education campaign about the time required to deal with crime.

A public desire for higher police visibility might also be dealt by a heightened presence or a PR campaign about what exists.

The desire by the public to partner the police in crime prevention should be seized upon said Mr. Horton as it could help in crime prevention and boost the Police image.

The public called for a strategy to target crime ? an idea which Mr. Horton said had merit. Service levels were also a concern and Mr. Horton said a strategy to improve public perception was needed.

In the summary there were concerns about timely solving of crimes, involvement in youth crimes and fair treatment of citizens. "Most of those in contact with the Bermuda Police Service are satisfied with the response, primarily because the response was timely, helpful, professional or polite.

"A number, however, were dissatisfied, primarily because the issue was not resolved or because of untimely response, dismissal of request, lack of knowledge, inefficient service or impoliteness."

Unsurprisingly the public rate crimes of violence, emergency response and drug enforcement as critically important by the public while traffic management is given least emphasis.

A representative sample of 405 were polled by phone in March. The survey is accurate to within 4.9 plus or minus percent.