Setting up Police substations would not be a silver bullet to solve crime, according to Commissioner Michael DeSilva.

"We would much rather be in a position to move our officers into specific places they need to be in," Mr. DeSilva told The Royal Gazette following calls for substations in Warwick and St. Monica's Road.

Politicians and residents have long demanded substations in crime-hit areas, but Mr. DeSilva argued: "I'm not a fan of storefront sub Police stations. I don't think that will work here."

Mr. DeSilva said the costs of wiring up such facilities with computers and telephones were not justified.

"I don't want officers sat in an office," he said. "I want officers out there in the community, knocking on doors."

Many people in St. George's say fear of crime would be reduced if the town's Police station was made fully operational, but Police say the 1912 building is not fit for full use, while the nearby Southside Police Station in St. David's was officially opened two years ago.

Mr. DeSilva said the policy had been clear since the days of former Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

"We can't run two fully operational Police stations two miles from each other. St. George's Police Station is nowhere near the standard it would need to be for full use and it would cost an absolute fortune to put it right.

"That argument, as far as I'm concerned, is a non-starter. I'm very aware of the perception, but we can still achieve the same proper coverage by making sure the Police officers are there in the town. Bricks and mortar are completely irrelevant.

"They're not there 24 hours a day, but we are putting an appropriate level of resources in and making Police available to the town centre for the best periods of the day.

"The question I always ask is: what would happen if we had a fully functional Police station, but the officers are in Smith's Parish? We would be back to square one."