a minimum number of four cheque books to account holders.

Detective Constable Chris Wilcox, of the Crime Prevention Unit, said: "We would like to see the bank give clients the option to order less than four cheque books.'' Concerned residents, apprehensive about storing excess cheque books in their homes, have recently called the Crime Prevention Unit asking for advice.

"We do recommend home safes, particularly floor safes, which are best sunk into a concrete floor,'' said D.c. Wilcox.

Cheque forging is on the increase, according to the Crime Prevention Unit. Mr.

Stephen Todd, senior manager of retail banking at the Bank of Butterfield, said that after the New Year, it would change its policy of issuing single cheque books on demand.

Mr. Todd said that the average order of cheque books by customers per month was now four.

"Printing will be outsourced so the demand policy will no longer be possible,'' he said.

The Bermuda Press will take charge of the entire cheque printing process.

Previously, Bermuda Press just produced the blank cheque book and the bank over-printed customer details in house, said Mr. Todd.

"People must ensure their personal property is protected as best they can.

The bank provides safe deposit boxes and I understand home safes are popular now,'' said Mr. Todd. "Cheques should be treated as cash.'' Senior manager of retail banking at the Bank of Bermuda Mr. Alan Richardson said that although the bank's new "panoranic'' cheques were only available in a package of four, there was no minimum order for the traditional vanilla cheque books.

"Most people order five or ten cheques books at a time,'' said Mr.

Richardson.

P.c. Chris Wilcox.