Attorney General Michael Scott said Bermuda is grappling with first generation gangs.

Mr Scott said lawyers discussed the different types of gangs during workshops at the First International Association of Prosecutors North American and Caribbean Regional Conference.

The conference was held in Bermuda last week; prosecutors from the US, Canada, South Korea and 13 Caribbean jurisdictions attended. Mr Scott told the House of Assembly yesterday: "Of interest and most encouraging was the suggestion that within the concept of tiered first, second and third generation gangs, as discussed by many of the presenters, Bermuda's gangs are what can be deemed first generation or low-level and that Bermuda is on the track in establishing effective methods for prosecuting offences which occur in a gang context in that tier.

"Methods that larger countries are currently adopting have been implemented in Bermuda, such as establishing an Anti-Gang Task Force, a Gang Targeting Unit, as well as making legislative changes such as amendments to the Telecommunications Act.

"We were fully appraised of what constituted second and third generation gangs. Typical features of second-generation gangs: they were organised for business and trade.

"Violent leadership change occurs. Drug trafficking, arms trade and market protection and central leadership are typical features of second-generation gangs.

"Third generation gangs extend their geographic boundaries to other ethnic centres to control a larger market."

He added that the Bermuda Department of Public Prosecutions learnt about methods to prosecute sex crimes against children involving the internet and how to amend legislation to ensure all types of technology are covered.

Mr Scott said the conference was also helpful in that local prosecutors networked and made friends who can assist them in future cases.