End bar owner.

Gunpowder Cavern owner Mrs. Rachel DeFontes blasted Police after two people were assaulted near to her premises a week ago.

But Police have defended themselves, and say any complaint should have been made through the proper channels, not through the media.

Mrs. DeFontes, 58, told The Royal Gazette that a British visitor who was mugged had a right to complain of Police slackness. "I do back him up,'' she said.

Mr. Michael Moran, a 24-year-old Londoner staying in Bermuda with a local friend, was mugged and assaulted last Tuesday night along with his friend. The two were walking home when they were attacked by three young men. After losing his friend, Mr. Moran stumbled up to the Gunpowder Cavern for help.

"The blood was pouring from him -- and his nose was the other side of his face,'' Mrs. DeFontes said.

She claimed she called the St. George's Police, and was on the phone for "at least 10 minutes'', but they didn't arrive.

By the time she got off the phone, Mr. Moran had left with some men from the bar to search for his friend.

He found his friend in a neighbour's car, and they went to the station to report the incident.

"It seems that at night there is only one Police car, while during the day there are four,'' Mrs. DeFontes said.

Police Community Relations Officer Sgt. John Dale said: "It is generally known that we're under-staffed. We do not discuss deployment or personnel for security reasons.'' Mrs. DeFontes said: "A couple of times I've complained, but they just don't want to know.'' Sgt. Dale made it clear that Police did not entertain complaints made through the media.

If Mrs. DeFontes had a problem, he said, she should complain formally to the St. George's Police Station or in writing to the Police Commissioner, and the matter would be pursued.