A raft of measures to tackle gang and gun violence — including making parents liable under civil law for their children's crimes and giving Police new powers — was unveiled by Government yesterday.

Changes to the law will allow officers to disperse groups "hanging out" in known anti-social behaviour and crime hot spots and remove children under 17 from such areas and take them home.

And those suspected by Police of wearing items of clothing such as hooded tops or face scarves for concealment purposes — for example, at a football game — could have them confiscated.

The eligible age for jurors will be increased from 65 to 70 and many people previously exempt from jury service will no longer be, including justices of the peace; spouses of barristers, Police and prison officers; dentists and vets; religious ministers; lawyers not engaged in criminal defence and former Police and prison officers out of the service for more than five years.

Attorney General Kim Wilson told a press conference that a series of bills aimed at "addressing the current criminal activities we as a community are facing" would be tabled in the House of Assembly when it reconvenes on February 5.

Other initiatives, including emergency counselling for those bereaved or frightened by the recent explosion in gun violence, a dedicated island for the Mirrors programme and homework help centres, were also announced at yesterday's briefing.

Premier Ewart Brown told the media: "Bermuda has experienced a series of violent acts and homicides involving guns like we have never seen before. Bermudians are afraid and wonder what is happening to the Bermuda they once knew."

He said the measures formed a "coherent" response to the gun violence and were an attempt to tackle its underlying causes.

"Safety initiatives must be directed at both reductions in violence — particularly gun-related violence — and a refocus on those qualities that contribute to a solid community," he said. "That is, it requires a balanced approach to enforcement and prevention."

But he said Government could not do it all and parents and young people had to play their part. "Government cannot read a book to your child," he said. "Government cannot check to make sure that your child does his homework.

"Government cannot teach your child respect for fair laws passed in the interest of the whole Island. Only you can do that."

Home Affairs Minister David Burch later reiterated the point, describing weed-smoking parents dropping off their children at school "high as a kite". "I'm calling on adults in this Country to be responsible," he said.

Senator Wilson said the legislative changes she was proposing were to give Police and the courts the necessary tools to reduce criminal activities, particularly those related to anti-social behaviour and gang violence.

She said the Parental Responsibility Bill 2010 would make parents "civilly liable for the actions of their children in circumstances where the parents have failed to exercise reasonable care supervision, protection and control".

Changes to the Criminal Code include providing a legal definition for anti-social behaviour as "behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress" to those outside of a person's own household.

The amendments were drawn up using the UK's anti-social behaviour laws as a framework, said Sen. Wilson.

The Justice Minister said changes to the Liquor Licence Act would allow Police to close down licensed premises for up to 24 hours without the permission of a JP and for a specified ratio to be set for the number of bouncers a nightclub must have per patron. An amendment to the Summary Offences Act will let Police act as the complainant in criminal cases involving noise pollution.

Acting Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Michael Scott said Paget Island had been identified as a permanent home for the Mirrors programme for "at risk" youth and that a partnership was likely with Outward Bound.

He said the Ministry would launch a direct outreach parenting programme for families with links to gangs, focusing on dispelling myths about gangs among children aged six to 12.

Ministry representatives will also be visiting "hang out" areas for young males and talking with gang members.

Health Minister Walter Roban said the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MAWI) was developing intervention programmes to help discover the issues causing bad behaviour, as well as offering emergency counselling.

Sen. Burch, meanwhile, told the press conference that six police officers from the UK were due to arrive last night to work with Bermuda Police Service.

But he said overseas help with gangs wasn't a long-term solution and revealed that a plan was afoot to "extend" Bermuda Regiment. He said the Police Commissioner and the Regiment's commanding officer were in talks.