The number of firearm incidents reported to Police in 2010 has reached 110 — eleven times the figure for the whole of 2007.

The depressing statistic was recorded on Tuesday night, when gunshots rang out in the White Hill area of Sandys parish shortly after 9.30 p.m.

No one was hurt, according to Police, but opposition politicians said the latest incident highlighted the steep rise in criminal activity involving guns on the Island in recent times.

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Shawn Crockwell told The Royal Gazette last night: "It's an alarming statistic which raises numerous questions as to whether we are able to effectively deal with this shift in violent crime and crime with the use of firearms.

"I believe this is the number one issue confronting this Country. If we don't arrest the rise in this type of crime then it really could undermine so many areas we are dependent on. It could hurt tourism; it could hurt international business."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley warned that Bermuda should not expect the "alarming upward trend" in gun violence to change any time soon.

The United Bermuda Party politician said: "While there have been some positive steps made in stemming this rising tide, and the Police should be commended for their effort in this prolonged battle, there is still much more that needs to be done.

"The sad fact is that the PLP Government was slow off the mark and are now trying to play catch up. Enforcement is only one small part of a comprehensive programme required."

Deputy Governor David Arkley said: "There is no doubt that the incidence of gun crime has increased. As one might expect this has led to an increase in the reporting of suspected incidents to the Police."

He said the "headline figure" for the year so far was startling but noted that about two-thirds of the incidents were unconfirmed.

Pointing to a "significant increase" in the number of witnesses coming forward after recent shootings, Mr. Arkley said: "There are clear signs of traction being gained as more and more offenders are being brought before the courts and charged with firearms offences."

The 110 figure, little more than halfway through the year, compares to 34 reported firearm incidents for the whole of 2004, 40 for 2005, 25 for 2006, ten for 2007, 38 for 2008 and 92 for 2009.

It suggests that Bermuda currently averages at least one gun-related incident every other day or about four incidents a week. Not all are made public by Police or reported by the media.

A Police spokesman said Tuesday evening was a confirmed firearm incident and brought the total number of firearm incidents in 2010 to 110.

"Of these, 35 are confirmed firearm incidents and 75 are unconfirmed," he said. "Firearm incidents are categorised into confirmed i.e. those incidents that have forensic evidence, including finding a firearm, bullet casing, person shot etc. and unconfirmed i.e. those incidents that have claims of gunshots heard where no casings are found."

Gun-related incidents this year have resulted in six killings and injuries to at least 14 people.

The most recent murder victim was 34-year-old plumber Frederick Maybury, who was shot dead in a Sandys bar on June 14.

Tuesday's gun shots came the night before it was revealed at a Corporation of Hamilton meeting that a new $2.6 million X-ray scanning system for Hamilton docks — aimed at stemming the flow of guns and drugs to the Island — may not arrive until next year.

Mr. Crockwell said Government had attempted to tackle gun violence with tough new measures for dealing with firearms suspects.

But he said a key question that needed answering was whether more guns were coming into the Country now than in past years. "If they are, surely we need to address trying to tighten up our borders," he added.

Senator Dunkley suggested "some small steps" had been made regarding legislation and praised an initiative to host block parties in neighbourhoods blighted by gun violence.

But he said the Cabinet's collective performance in dealing with "crime at epic levels" was unacceptable.

A spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister David Burch did not respond to a request for comment.