During recent weeks there have been a number of violent and sexual attacks on women. The Royal Gazette went out to see if there was a growing fear among the general public of attacks and to also get their views on whether legislation should be changed to make pepper spray and mace available. Lynn Stowe , 44, from Smith's, said: "I have noticed that crime seems to be creeping up and I have realised that there have been a number of attacks on women, in particular.

"I think it is happening more because people feel they can get away with it.

I have also found that people just accept the way things are. It is not the safe place everyone talks about.

"I certainly think legalising mace or pepper spray is worth thinking about.'' Jennifer Burrell , 32, from Devonshire, said: "I am very concerned about the frequency that attacks are happening.

"I think people are choosing to believe that it's not happening and that the women who have been attacked have put themselves in dangerous situations -- that it won't happen to them.

"People constantly talk about how safe Bermuda is and it gives people a false sense of security.

"I think we need more awareness and warnings, and I totally agree that pepper spray should be made available to women.'' Sharise Cann , 30, from Devonshire, said: "I think people are concerned about the number of attacks. I don't think there has been an over-reaction, but I do think there is a lot of ignorance in a lot of people.

"It concerns me being out in the dark, and it worries me riding my bike at night. I think crime has gone up because more people are on drugs.

"I would welcome women being allowed to use pepper spray.'' Richard Patfield-Manning , 55, who did not wish to give his address, said people found committing crime needed to be dealt with severely.

He added: "Anyone guilty of a serious crime should be incinerated -- that would stop people.

"I don't know about crimes against women, but I think all crime is going up.

"I don't know about being worried about the women in my family, but any man who attacked my mother, wife, daughter, or any woman in my family, should be concerned. He should be concerned.

"The Police have made it quite clear that they don't want mace legalised because they don't want anyone else carrying it. I think that's how it will stay.'' Antoinette Harford , 70, from Pembroke, said: "Crime on women seems to be increasing, but I am very cautious and I avoid going out, except in the car.

"I think there is enough awareness and I think people know the dangers. You have to be careful.

"If mace was made available I don't think I would carry it. I'm only small so an attacker would be able to overpower me anyway.'' Karlene (Peaches) Trott , 19, from St. David's, said she was not really concerned about the recent spate of attacks because she did not think she was likely to ever be a victim.

She said: "I feel for the people who have been attacked, but I have not really changed my habits or anything because I don't put myself in these sorts of situations -- I don't hang about on my own at night or anything like that.

"I think women should take part in self defence classes -that's the answer.

"I have heard a lot of things about mace being made available, but I don't think that should be an issue. A lot of young guys fight and they could end up using it legally. That would be bad.'' Lynn Stowe Jennifer Burrell Sharise Cann Richard Patfield-Manning Antoinette Harford Karlene (Peaches) Trott