Criminals should be rocked back on their heels as moves to boost the Police Force begin to bite.

The confident claim came this week from Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Perinchief.

Backing up his assertion, he pointed to: The return of eight experienced expatriate officers who were let go last year following Budget cuts. More could follow suit; Reserve officers patrolling guest houses at night; and The increasing use of security guards by tourist properties.

Mr. Perinchief went on to scotch allegations by a Government Minister that Police were under-reporting crimes against visitors.

The Minister -- who did not wish to be named -- suggested to The Royal Gazette efforts were being made to put a gloss on the Island's image as a safe destination.

But Mr. Perinchief said: "We would be living in a fool's paradise if we tried to pretend no crime happens here.

"I can assure you there is no under-reporting of crime. We always try to be as up front as possible, and as open as we can with the media.'' His comments follow the release of January 1-September 30 statistics which show marked increases in certain crimes.

For instance, there have been 66 handbag snatches -- compared to just 16 during the same period in 1993. And break-ins have soared by nearly 50 percent.

Police announced they would be providing separate statistics on tourist property break-ins.

This week Mr. Perinchief linked the increase in crime with Budget cuts.

"We noticed we lost the initiative with some crimes after the cuts,'' he said. "We became more reactive because of the cuts.'' But he was confident prospects were better following moves to strengthen the Force.

"I believe we will have criminals rocking on their heels,'' he said.

Mr. Perinchief said the Police were hit hard by the loss last year of British and West Indian officers, including parish constables and specialists in marine work, narcotics and traffic.

The emergency response firearms team was thought to have lost a third of its men.

Eight of the officers -- six West Indian and two British -- have now returned, said Mr. Perinchief.

Their experience would stand the Force in good stead.

"As and when positions come available more of the officers let go could return,'' he added.

Mr. Perinchief also pointed to the effectiveness of the Reserve Constabulary, members of which had been asked to work extra hours.

He said their patrols had dramatically reduced the number of guest house break-ins recently.

Increased use of security guards was also helping the Police.

"Obviously it would be foolish of me to say that if the present crime trends continue as they are we won't have a problem,'' said Mr. Perinchief.

"But I believe we are going in the right direction.''