Now Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall is to be lobbied to stop his men from continually flagging bikers down for routine checks.

The attack was launched by outspoken taxi chief and former Progressive Labour Party candidate Mr. George Scott.

He claimed Police -- and one officer in particular -- were victimising his 16-year-old son, George Scott Jr.

"We still don't have a Bermuda Police Service. We have a Police Force,'' he said.

"I will be contacting the Police Commissioner because of the behaviour of some Police officers who interfere with the lives of young black males.'' He said some young blacks were locked up in cells without charge.

Mr. Scott was speaking during a Press conference at PLP HQ in Court Street which highlighted the problems faced by young blacks.

Afterwards, Mr. Scott, president of the Bermuda Industrial Union Taxi Co-Op service and a former PLP candidate in Warwick West, said young blacks often first came into contact with the Police through their bikes.

Police were overzealous, he said, in their treatment of teenage bikers.

And this was something highlighted in the Judge Stephen Tumim report on Bermuda's criminal justice system.

"Youngsters on their bikes have too long been the focus of Police,'' he said.

"Every time my son is on a bike he is stopped, usually by the same officer.'' Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said it was unfortunate Mr. Scott felt his son was being harassed.

"Unfortunately at present we are experiencing a considerable problem with cycle theft.

"In the last week, that is from last Saturday to this morning, 67 cycles have been stolen.

"Many of the cycles are stolen by teenagers, some of whom are under age.'' He added: "In order for the Police to effectively check out these cycles it's necessary to stop the riders, and check their credentials.

"It is not a case of deliberately harassing. It's a case of trying to deal with a serious problem.

"I know it's an inconvenience to members of the public, but that's a price we as a community have to pay to solve this problem.

"I should point out we would encourage all cyclists to carry their documents on them as this would greatly assist the Police and reduce the time taken to make the necessary checks.''