The issue of crime has sparked one of the key policy debates of the General Election so far.

The Progressive Labour Party claims crime has gone down since it took power, citing contrasting Bermuda Police Service figures from 1996 to 2006. The United Bermuda Party has highlighted what it alleges is rising crime and fear of crime.

A raft of tough measures proposed by the Opposition — including lengthy prison terms for repeat offenders under a "three strikes and you're out" policy — provoked criticism from the PLP that they are draconian, when the focus should be on rehabilitation.

Here, The Royal Gazette reproduces full statistics from the Bermuda Police Service spanning the period 1996 to 2006, showing trends in crime.

TOTAL CRIMES OF –VIOLENCE

1996 — 350

1997 — 309

1998 — 296

1999 — 336

2000 — 295

2001 — 265

2002 — 236

2003 — 273

2004 — 285

2005 — 309

2006 — 305

TOTAL CRIMES OF THEFT / STEALING

1996 — 324

1997 — 429

1998 — 411

1999 — 512

2000 — 337

2001 — 344

2002 — 329

2003 — 234

2004 — 271

2005 — 262

2006 — 263

TOTAL BREAKING/–BURGLARY OFFENCES

1996 — 982

1997 — 1241

1998 — 1163

1999 — 1035

2000 — 908

2001 — 976

2002 — 1050

2003 — 1004

2004 — 850

2005 — 1046

2006 — 1142

TOTAL TAKING VEHICLES WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT/REMOVING– VEHICLES

1996 — 1208

1997 — 1226

1998 — 1124

1999 — 1422

2000 — 993

2001 — 1158

2002 — 1480

2003 — 1191

2004 — 896

2005 — 955

2006 — 927

GRAND TOTAL —–ALL CRIME

1996 — 2864

1997 — 3205

1998 — 2994

1999 — 3305

2000 — 2533

2001 — 2743

2002 — 3095

2003 — 2702

2004 — 2302

2005 — 2572

2006 — 2637