Violent crime is at its highest point for at least eight years following a surge in gang robberies.

New figures show 105 violent crimes took place in the first three months of 2008 — up from 72 for the same period last year and more than at any time since modern Police records begin in 2001.

There were 46 robberies and a further 13 attempted robberies in January, February and March — nearly double the number for the first three months of 2007, when there were 29 robberies plus three attempts.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Jackman told a press conference yesterday that groups of up to six young men have been targeting individuals walking alone late at night.

They have stolen cell phones, cash, jewellery — including chains costing up to $20,000 — and victims have mainly been attacked between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. in areas around Hamilton's bars and clubs.

Mr. Jackman said: "The one that gives us the most concern is robberies. We have definitely seen an increase. Groups of young males are randomly selecting people and targeting them."

Asked why this had increased, he replied: "Guys walking around with chains valued at $20,000. Once you do that, you are more of a target."

He added: "We are asking the public to be vigilant and to use all of the precautions available such as not exposing large amounts of cash and not displaying expensive necklaces and pendants when out late at night."

Mr. Jackman said many victims were unwilling for Police to pursue the offenders, partly due to intimidation.

He denied a suggestion they preferred to seek revenge themselves, explaining: "Most incidents, these people are doing it in groups. It's difficult to retaliate against a group of four as opposed to one on one."

Firearm offences also reached a new high, with seven seized in the first three months of the year — compared with none in the corresponding period of 2007. The matters are before the courts and further information was not available.

Mr. Jackman said Police were aggressively chasing down leads on gun crime, and that in recent months there had been a fall-off in the town versus country gang behaviour.

Among other violent crimes, the number of sexual assaults halved to nine, although sexual exploitation of young people jumped from nil to five.

Burglaries remained on 304, of which about two thirds were residential. Mr. Jackman said most burglaries are committed by a small group of individuals, with one person recently admitting 125 burglaries.

Warwick and Southampton were burglary hotspots, while electronic items and jewellery are the most likely property to be stolen. In a quarter of burglaries the offender entered through an insecure door or window.

Vehicle thefts were down, from 237 in the first quarter of 2007 to 165 this year. However, Mr. Jackman said thefts from vehicles continued to plague the Island and urged people to secure their vehicles and not to leave valuables on display.

Anyone with information about crimes should call Police on 295-1140 or the confidential CrimeStoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.