Former Culture Minister Dale Butler says the Governor must "step up" to address the increase in crime on the Island or risk being replaced.

In an address to the House of Assembly on Friday, Mr. Butler said: "If our problems (with crime) continue to get worse we need to ask for a recall. If that is the Governor's main responsibility and he is unable to meet that requirement we need to get recourse. Our safety depends on it."

Over the past few years Mr. Butler said the small numbers of young men on walls had grown and small groups have turned into gangs. If the problem is not tackled it will continue to get worse, he added.

Yesterday Mr. Butler elaborated on his comments saying: "This is the second time I have made (this statement) and Bermudians have to look at accountability if in fact (the Governor) continues to refuse the Government's request to bring in a New York group to help.

"Things have gotten worse and the Police are trying their best, but need more expert support as recommended by the Government. But he continues to reject it. Hence my request for a recall of the Governor because he has failed to get on top of the problem as the person responsible for the police."

He continued: "We all like our Governor but with specific regard to his job, he is not providing the type of safety we need."

Also speaking at the House on Friday was PLP backbencher Ashfield DeVent, who asserted that something unique needed to happen to stop the trend of retaliation from resulting in "a mini-war". Mr. DeVent said the Island was at a "crucial stage" in its history in relation to gangs and gang violence.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney replied to Mr. Butler's comments last night saying: "The Police catch criminals and pre-empt future crime to the extent that their capabilities allow, and to the extent that their surrounding society encourages them.

"The Bermuda Police Service already draws on the experience of overseas jurisdictions and has obtained much help from them. More is being lined up. The Police Service have moved to a greater concentration of effort on Bermuda's 100 or more prolific offenders, whose pursuit and disruption by the Police is now easier thanks to new legislation put forward by the Government of Bermuda and passed by the Assembly, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. It is being put to good use. We'll see more of it.

"But the causes of crime lie elsewhere. As a distinguished group of visitors from Court Street put it to me at Government House this afternoon, the Police cannot solve crime.

Sir Richard added: "Only communities and their natural leaders, in clubs and associations and churches, can address the causes of crime, and mend the lives of those who fall into crime. The message from those who fight crime successfully, whether in New York or London, is the same: only with the community's support and help will crime levels reduce. That's what Assistant Commissioner of Police Mike Jackman's Community Policing Programme is all about. He needs the active and outspoken support of community leaders, including politicians."