Soft touch magistrates who let criminals walk free from court are leaving Police morale in tatters.

The allegation was fired yesterday by a reliable source within the Police Force.

He singled out weak sentencing of crooks who targeted visitors and struck at Bermuda's tourism industry.

"It's mind boggling. If the magistrates are going to hand out such soft sentences the Police might as well give up.'' Last night Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen also appealed for magistrates and judges to get tough.

Repeat offenders against visitors should be locked up, he declared.

"Stiffer sentences are a deterrent.'' His call comes amid reports of Police dismay over the way courts are supporting them in the battle against crime.

The Police source turned to The Royal Gazette following the recent Magistrates' Court sentencing of a man who broke into a hotel and stole cash from a guest.

The man -- found guilty of the offence -- received a nine months jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Police were said to have been shocked by the soft sentence.

"Everybody was sick to their stomachs when they heard about the sentence,'' said the Police source, who asked not to be identified.

He added: "It's ridiculous. It's so demoralising and bad for Bermuda.'' The source said people in Bermuda did not appreciate the size of the crime wave sweeping the Island.

Policemen regularly risked injury as they battled to catch offenders, and deserved better support from the courts.

There was no doubt criminals read court reports in The Royal Gazette , and were probably encouraged by the low sentencing, the source said.

The message being sent to criminals was: It's worth the risk.

The source also spoke of the need for Police to do some serious thinking following a recent robbery trial which ended with an acquittal.

Police should examine their handling of the investigation, and question whether officers were sufficiently qualified to be detectives.

In England, for instance, aspiring detectives had to complete a 20-week course. This was not the case in Bermuda.

Yesterday Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun said the Attorney General's chambers were loathe to comment on sentences.

"I don't believe in making media comments on the propriety of judges' sentences.'' He added, however: "I should point out the defence and prosecution always have a chance to appeal a sentence.

Mr. Allen stressed "rehabilitation'' should work hand in hand with strong sentencing.

Experts should help wean offenders away from a life of crime.

"You also can't generalise about sentencing. You have to look at it on a case by case basis.'' Mr. Allen said the Progressive Labour Party were concerned about crime against visitors, and the need for the Police Force to be beefed up.

This did not mean, however, the Opposition wanted a larger Force.

"What we are calling for is redeployment,'' he said, adding civilians should be doing Police desk work to allow more officers on patrol.

"High visibility is a deterrent.'' Mr. Allen went on to slam Government cuts of the Police Budget.

This had hit the Force at a time when crime was attacking the tourism industry.

"I think the statistics showing that purse-snatchings for the first half of the year are already up 100 percent over 1993 are alarming.'' Mr. Allen continued by repeating PLP calls for the Police Force to be Bermudianised.

MR. ALLEN -- Stiffer sentences are a deterrent.