Constable Scheme has been bolstered, Police Commissioner Colin Coxall predicted.

Starting today eight new police officers will be added to the Bermuda Police Service's parish constable scheme which brings the complement to 25 including three sergeants.

The City of Hamilton will have two constables in addition to the officer who already works in the North of Hamilton.

Officers will liaise with area youth and participate in youth activities and develop an awareness of families who may be in difficulty. They will also work closely with elderly members in their districts.

Mr. Coxall said: "Studies in the world have shown that reported crime fluctuates considerably when the community feel their Police Service is closer to them.

"There is a tendency when you build up community policing, for the reporting of minor crimes to increase.

"In the past people may have declined to report minor incidents but when they have a local constable readily available because they see that officer regularly and know them by their Christian names they are more inclined to report to that officer.

"It tends not to affect the major crimes but it does affect the minor crimes.

So I think we may see a surge in minor crime figures as community policing takes hold.'' Mr. Coxall said that crime in all three divisions -- east, west and central -- of the service have declined considerably.