ordeal before stealing $400 from him.

Witnesses watched in amazement as the men searched the visitor and took down his trousers in broad daylight in Court Street.

And Police are now seeking information about the robbers who are believed to be Caribbean.

An eye witness said: "I could not believe this kind of thing was happening in broad daylight in Bermuda. It certainly would not have happened a couple of years ago.'' The incident occurred around 12.30 p.m. on Thursday, when the visitor was walking along Court Street close to the offices of Mrs. Lois Browne Evans and Balloon Age.

Community Relations Officer Sgt. John Dale said: "Two men approached him and apparently identified themselves as Police officers.

"They gripped his arm and led him up the alley between the two businesses, demanded drugs and commenced to search him even to the extent of pulling his pants down.

"All this was witnessed by a couple of local women who, obviously very concerned, demanded that the men produce identification but they were told that, as they were undercover, it wasn't required.'' The eye witness said: "They manhandled this man against a window and everyone could see what was happening.

"The two men were certainly not Bermudian. They sounded and acted like they were from the Caribbean. They were really trying to get something off him and he did not want to give it away. I don't think they hurt him.

"People were making so much noise that they moved away and carried on searching him further up the street.'' In fact Sgt. Dale said that the men dragged him to the Church Street entrance of the Supreme Court and slammed the gate on two women who were following them.

He said: "The impostors continued to search the man and eventually took his wallet containing over $400.

"The visitor managed to break free and jump over the wall and obviously being terrified ran back to his ship.'' Police are calling for more witnesses to come forward who may have seen the incident and realised that it was not the actions of Police officers.

Sgt. Dale stressed: "We do not have any undercover officers. We do have many officers working in civilian clothes but each and everyone of them carries I.D. and must produce it when requested.'' Anyone with information can contact Det. Chief Insp. Carlton Adams at Central CID on 295-0011.

The Bermuda Electric Light Company has also received reports of a man claiming to be from the company visiting customers in Somerset and Warwick.

A spokesperson said: "Both customers said the man arrived in a red car, was not in uniform and claimed he was sent by the company to sort out a problem with their meters.

"However he did not seem to know just what he was supposed to be looking for.'' Belco has stressed that all their meter men wear Belco uniforms and all carry company identification.

The spokesperson said: "Should you have any concerns about the identity of a person claiming to be from Belco please give us a call before letting the person into your home.''