A gangster may have pointed a gun at the head of a charter boat skipper and threatened to shoot him after being asked to slow down his jet ski, according to an e-mail sent out by a Police officer.

The community constable sent the round robin message on Sunday morning to members of the marine community, warning them that gang members had begun using jet skis and boats to cruise the sea and steal equipment.

He said he was seeking further information about an unconfirmed report of a tour/charter boat coming into contact with a gang member in Paradise Lakes, near Ports Island.

"At the time the boat was full as it was doing a charter," wrote the officer. "One of the gang members was racing around on an all-black jet ski when the tour captain asked him to slow down due to the wake.

"The gang member rode over to the charter boat, removed a firearm from his waistband and pointed the weapon at the captain's head, threatening to shoot him. I have not been able to confirm this information as true or having been reported to Police as yet.

"If any of you can confirm this information and/or provide any further information, I would be grateful."

Asked about the email yesterday, Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Jackman said: "It has come to our attention that an e-mail is being circulated around Bermuda that was originally sent by one of our staff members.

"We have spoken to the officer who sent the e-mail and even though well intentioned, he recognises that his e-mail has created some concern in the community.

"The information that was contained in that e-mail has not been confirmed and the intent of the e-mail was to solicit further information from the boating public."

Mr. Jackman said Bermuda Police Service took a proactive approach to dealing with firearm incidents, including policing the waterways.

He urged the boating community to use the same level of caution at sea as on land and to report suspicious activity to Police.

The constable sent the email from a personal account and said the matter was of an urgent nature.

"Recent information has come to my attention in relation to 'gang activity' out on the open waters," he wrote.

"The Police service has information that gang members are now frequenting the water ways using jet skies and boats.

"As a result of their new found interest in water craft, there has been an increase in thefts of marine equipment.

"The bigger problem, however, comes when these gang members come into contact with other members of the public and primarily tour/charter boats."

He wrote that the alleged incident involving the captain was of "very serious concern" to Police. The officer referred The Royal Gazette yesterday to the Police press office.

• Did you see the alleged incident at Paradise Lakes? Email our newsdesk at news@royalgazette.bm. Criminal activity at sea should be reported to Police on 295-0011 or via the confidential Crime Stoppers number of 800-8477.