Police officers now have power to shut down bars for up to 24 hours if they believe there will be violence.

The Liquor Licence Amendment Act was passed in the House of Assembly yesterday. It means that officers no longer have to get permission from a Justice of the Peace to shut a bar.

Minister Zane DeSilva told the House the Government is "mindful of the recent trend of senseless and sensational violence confronting our communities and our justice system".

The bill, tabled at the end of the last Parliamentary session, states Police can take action if "a serious disorder or threat to public safety has occurred, is likely to occur or is reasonably expected to occur on a licensed premises or any place of business of the licensed person nearby".

Anyone failing to abide by the instruction will be fined up to $5,000.

Bar staff will also have to undergo training on responsible alcohol sales as part of the legislation and people won't be allowed to enter the premises until 48 hours after signing up as new members.

Mr. Desilva said: "Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent upon this Government to safeguard the public by evoking the measures in this legislation appropriate to the task at hand.

"These include imposing obligations on nightclubs to put adequate security in place to prevent the violent acts that have been occurring too frequently at or near these venues, including Friday night shootings and uncontrollable crowds."

Shadow Justice Minister Trevor Moniz said he supported the amendment and added: "Let's say you have a security guard at the beach and you have 40 people inside stabbing each other. What are they going to do? We would support an increase in budget for target items for the police service."

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons spoke about complaints of parties in the White Sands Hotel area.

"Often times what will happen is that when there is a party the neighbourhood literally gets invaded. You have got 100 to 200 people coming and they park all over the place.

"After the event has ended you get some anti-social behaviour which can disturbance of property, activities, shouting, cursing in an area which is normally residential and peaceful."

Backbencher Wayne Perinchief said he supports the amendment.

"I have to be aware that Bermuda has become an extremely conservative place. I believe in some instances where we restrict the use of alcohol in public venues such as beaches and parks but I do believe with special licenses that we could make Bermuda a much more hospitable place for visitors who want to free up.

"We recognise that there are other problems that we have with respect to illegal substances. This is not an illegal substance. But I wonder if we aren't a bit archaic in which we look at alcohol."

Opposition Leader Kim Swan said: "One aspect of the act that I'm not sure how workable it will be is the membership that's required. A lot of clubs today are the locations where persons have private functions.

"We are in support and we certainly feel given the circumstance of the events that occurred, we feel certainly necessary to lend our support."

Backbencher Ashfield DeVent also supported the amendment and said: "It's clear this honourable House is in favour of the amendment to this act. I think people have to spend some time on Front Street where these young people go on a Friday or Saturday night to see why we do need to amend this act.

"I think we have to realise that we have a generation of people who don't understand responsible drinking. We have people on a Friday night drinking and smoking and doing illegal substances.

"By three or four in the morning, you have a lot of people who are not in a sober and conscious mind. If we don't somehow begin to let people know if you break the law there will be consequences, we're on a very slippery slope. laws don't really mean much to the lawless."