And the eye-in-the-sky CCTV system is to go on line within the next two weeks.

The news came as Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox teamed up with Tourism Minister David Allen to announce a new drive to beat drugs and crime -- especially lawbreakers who target tourists.

And Ms Cox told the House of Assembly that one cause for a rise in crime was Police success in drug seizures -- cutting availability and pushing up prices.

She said: "The consequence is that people have become increasingly desperate to obtain the funds to buy the drugs.

"The ripple effect continues and this has resulted in an increase in the incidents of violence.'' And Mr. Allen said a review of security at hotels and other tourist haunts would be started, as well as a fresh drive to inform visitors of potential dangers.

Ms Cox said officers will begin training in the use of the new Hamilton CCTV system, expected to last two weeks, with the cameras then starting a year-long trial period.

And she announced a new front-line role for the Reserve Police planned jointly with Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay.

She said: "The Commissioner and I have collaborated and he will issue a directive with immediate effect that the Reserve Police will be used in an extended role to provide an extra physical presence in known problem areas.

"Such areas include not only these areas frequented by tourists, but also throughout the Island where there are pockets of crime and neighbourhood nuisance. Already there are special undercover Policemen on special patrols.'' Ms Cox added that the Police Reserve was a good example of the drive towards policing by consent -- which formed "the cornerstone of community policing''.

And she pledged to build on the community approach in the future with new proposals -- including a fresh drive to "involve the public policing our community in a completely new and innovative way''.

Ms Cox declined to comment further. But it is understood that greater use of civilians as a uniformed auxiliary service and an expanded Reserve could be on the cards.

But Ms Cox added: "It does come with a price tag which is why some of the details still need to be finalised.'' Ms Cox was speaking after a rash of attacks on tourists -- with one man ending up in intensive care following a mugging in Hamilton.

And Mr. Allen called on the entire community to put its weight behind stamping out crime.

He stressed Bermuda still enjoyed an enviable safety record, but added that one crime was too many when tens of millions of dollars are spent on selling the Island abroad.

He said: "We must all be vigilant and help the policing process. It is only with such vigilance that we will be able to strike at the core of this scourge and protect the livelihood and comfort of every man, woman and child in Bermuda.'' Crime fighter: Paula Cox