night. And criminals are probably well aware of the fact.

That was the grim warning yesterday from Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards, who revealed he is worried about his officers' safety.

Government cuts, a shortage of recruits and a spate of resignations have left the force more than 70 below its official strength.

The crisis has prompted moves to boost Police numbers by new Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

And a freeze on recruiting from overseas may be lifted.

Mr. Edwards told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "Over the last couple of years, like all other Government departments, we have had to undergo cuts within our budget. These cuts amounted to around $1 million.'' Because about 89 percent of the Police budget was for salaries, he said, financial cuts had meant cuts in staffing.

The official strength, laid down by Parliament, was 489 officer. But after the cuts a lower total had been authorised.

"Up until about September this year, we were working at a new temporary establishment figure of 432.'' But due to natural attrition this had now dropped further.

"We had a run of resignations within the last couple of months -- mainly Bermudians who, since the recession appears to be turning around, have decided to go back to school and better their education.

"They have left us somewhat desolate. By the time they actually leave we will be roughly 417.

"Our manpower situation is in fact depleted quite a bit.'' Mr. Edwards stressed there was no evidence to show policing had become inherently unsafe.

A "fair number'' of staff on office duty, working at the Police club or in plain clothes, had been put back on the beat to augment officers needed for ready response.

And the regular force was getting excellent support from the Island's 80-plus reserve constables, many of whom were putting in far more hours than required.

"The stability of the force most certainly stays,'' he said. But he added: "I feel for my personnel that are out there, because their numbers have been reduced.

"The safety of the officers is something that causes me great concern.'' He was "not necessarily happy'' with the number of Police on the beat at night, which had been reduced by sickness.

"We do find ourselves somewhat scant, and it wouldn't surprise me that those members of society who will play on the small numbers will be keeping a very high vigilant watch on that, and would know that we are somewhat short on the ground.'' Mr. Edwards said a new Police training course would start later this month.

"Unfortunately that will only consist of about nine Bermudians.

"We interviewed a huge number of Bermudian applicants over the last couple of months, but obviously a fair number didn't qualify.'' Young job-hunters with degrees, attracted to the Police during the recession, were now heading towards the business sector again.

So although recruitment of Bermudians would continue, hiring from the UK and the West Indies had not been ruled out.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto agreed the force was below its present 432 ceiling.

The recruitment drive had to continue she said, firstly among Bermudians and then possibly overseas.

She added: "Government is committed to working with the Commissioner and his administrative officers to have a complete review of resources needed by the Police, and that will include manpower. The review will be undertaken soon.

"Following the complete review of the resources needed, I suspect that we will be attempting to have those numbers boosted up to 489.'' Plans were also underway to pay for the expansion of the Police computer system, allowing assault reports to be separated into attacks in the home elsewhere.

Mr. Edwards said this year's police boxing event had been cancelled, for the first time in 24 years.

He said the officer organising the event had only been able to find about three Bermuda Police boxers, and it had been too late to arrange for contestants outside the force.

Boxing, like soccer, rugby and other Police sports, had been hit by the amount of personnel the force had lost over the last two years.

Many boxers had been expatriates who had had to leave the force.

But next year a 25th anniversary gala event was planned, involving boxers from US forces like Boston, New York or Denver.