apparent problems during a training exercise last weekend.

A partial embodiment of the Regiment during a surprise anti-terrorism exercise exposed difficulties, sources reported.

Without warning a hijack alert was signalled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, but it was reported that officers had problems contacting members of the Regiment, adding to the mobilisation time.

And it is understood a member of the elite British Special Air Service present at the exercise also commented unfavourably on the Police anti-terrorism force.

But Deputy Governor Mr. John Kelly dismissed any complaints and said that the idea of an exercise was to iron out any problems that might arise.

Mr. Kelly said that the Regiment had been deliberately mobilised at a "difficult time'' at 2 p.m. on a Saturday to coincide with an SAS exercise.

He said the Regiment's 200 members were ready by 5 p.m.

He said: "Only three people knew about the exercise. In an emergency, orders would have been quicker, but each officer has a number of phone numbers and people are mobilised along the line.

"They would normally try to get a message on the radio and, if there is time, in The Royal Gazette . Unfortunately they did not have the numbers of the managing directors of the radio stations, but the Police have those numbers.

"The Police only attended the exercise notionally. Instead of sending 20 men they sent four. They did not call in off-duty officers.'' The last time the Bermuda Regiment was used in a serious emergency was during Hurricane Emily.