Security guards and private detectives will have to go on training programmes under legislation debated in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Minister Walter Roban told MPs the Private Investigators and Security Guards Amendment Bill would help counter gangs and anti-social behaviour which has been troubling the Island.

The law, which was approved by the House, also means the Commissioner of Police will keep a register of licensed persons, with those operating without a licence facing fines of up to $2,000. United Bermuda Party Deputy Leader Trevor Moniz questioned how much the bill would really address gangs, and asked what would happen to the people operating on a casual basis.

Shawn Crockwell of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance supported the increase in certification, but said of private investigators: "There's been some concern that by making it mandatory their identity is being made public, which will compromise the work that they do."

Mr. Roban, who speaks on Public Safety in the House, later told The Royal Gazette private investigators would be able to request an exemption from the Commissioner.

Former Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton backed the legislation, saying: "We have had an increase of violence in our community, rise in anti-social behaviour and it's becoming even more important for people who find themselves in positions of security guards to indeed be more trained to be able to deal with some of the more difficult situations they come upon.

"If a security guard is not properly trained, he can in fact incite more poor behaviour."