Crimes against tourists should not carry tougher penalties in the courts than crimes against residents, according to a random street poll by The Royal Gazette .

The informal survey was carried out following recent attacks on tourists and subsequent calls by some MPs for more stringent action within the legal system.

Bermudian Nina Chapman said she believed different treatment for the perpetrators of tourist offences could almost be seen as discrimination.

Her sister, Jody Chapman, said: "Why would tourists be any different?'' BTC worker Robin Steede said he felt that they should be treated according to the crime they have committed, not who they attacked.

He said: "Criminals are criminals. They should all be treated according to what they did.'' But contractor Rick Meens said he believed crimes against tourists do more than damage to the victim.

"I think there should be tougher penalties. A crime against a tourist is a crime against Bermuda,'' said Mr. Meens, whose daughter Jasmine was with Canadian visitor Rebecca Middleton hours before she was brutally murdered in Bermuda in July 1996.

He was supported by Vandleta Tyrell.

The beautician at Renaissance Hair Salon was adamant that such criminals be given a stiffer sentence because they hurt the economy by damaging tourism with bad publicity.

"It is not only a crime against tourists, but it is a crime against our economy'' she said. "Tourism is our main source of money -- you attack our tourists, you attack our economy.'' Seventeen-year-old Jereme Remsey, who is employed at Logic Communications for the summer, agreed.

"They (the criminals) make Bermuda look bad,'' he said.

A tourist from New York, Joan Maffuncci, has a slightly different opinion.

"These guys are all the same,'' she said. "It shouldn't make a difference how they are punished.'' Steve Saliba, of Aberfeldy Nurseries Ltd., said he believed everyone should be treated the same.

"Nobody should be attacked upon so these guys should be treated the same,'' he said.

Nina Chapman Rick Meens Jerme Remsey Robin Steede