A private detective agency is being called in to stamp out crime in Warwick.

And the agency, International Security and Investigations Ltd, is now drawing up a plan which it claims could slash crime in the parish by up to 70 percent.

The agency was contacted by several local businesses concerned about the level of crime in some areas of the parish.

The company is keeping its crime beating strategy under wraps at the moment.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette International Security and Investigations Ltd President Carlton Croxwell declined to give any details about the plan.

But Mr. Walter Saul of Bermuda Pest Control, one of the companies that has hired the agency, said: "They have done a survey and prepared a security plan that's quite feasible. It's now a case of going back to the public and putting that plan to them.

"Warwick is one of the crime hotspots. We have a lot of guys selling drugs on the streets every afternoon and there are a lot of schoolchildren around.

People are getting frightened of coming into the neighbourhood. This isn't really a criticism of the Police. It's not so much a case of them not doing enough but they can't be everywhere all the time.

"The new sub station will help and I applaud them for that but you could have five Police officers patrolling City Hall car park but if they're not watching your bike at that particular moment it can still disappear.'' A presentation about the strategy will be given at a meeting next month.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at International Security and Investigations Ltd's office in the Commerce building on Reid Street, Hamilton, on Friday, July 3 starting at 4.p.m.