Being a gang member will be a criminal offence under new legislation which could be on the way in Bermuda.

Premier Ewart Brown yesterday announced Government is hoping to introduce a raft of new measures after revealing children as young as 12 are involved in gangs across the Island.

The Premier cited new anti 'Bikie Gang' legislation in Australia, which Cabinet has been considering implementing in Bermuda.

Dr. Brown said under that law, the Commissioner of Police uses tactics which intentionally disrupt the rhythm of gangs.

He was speaking to introduce a House of Assembly motion that Bermuda takes deliberate action to address its gang problems.

"One of the ways in which to meet this problem of gangs is through specific legislation," Dr. Brown told the House.

"I know this option to be attractive to some in this Honourable House who have from time to time called upon this Government to enact what is referred to in some jurisdictions as anti-gang legislation.

"I am pleased to advise Honourable Members that Cabinet has already discussed these measures and in a preview of the Speech from the Throne for 2009 I can confirm that in the next session this Government will invite the Legislature to consider specific measures aimed at combating gangs in Bermuda."

He also pointed to latest Police figures which show there are 17 gangs in Bermuda, four of which are made up of juveniles. About 350 people are involved in gangs, ranging in age from 12 to 35.

"For the avoidance of doubt and to dispel any lingering uncertainty on the part of anyone in Bermuda, let me make it plain: we have gangs in this country," said Dr. Brown.

"On this 21-square mile island of 65,000 souls, we have gangs. They are our sons and daughters. Some work and some are unemployed. Some are in church on Saturday and Sunday and some are not.

"Some dress nicely and walk upright and others fit what we have come to think is the profile of a gangster. In short, they are all around us and do not fit into any specific category or profile. They are our sons and daughters."

Bermuda's gangs include Whitewall, Frontline, Parkside, White Hill and Southside or Rangers, said the Premier. Police know who the leaders are, he said.

He outlined some of the possible reasons behind gangs, including:

• the need for social status;

• the need for people with no self identity to identify with a group;

• lowering of self esteem by modern social disabilities such as poor table manners.

He added: "If Honourable Members are prepared to be honest in considering those factors I have outlined they will come to the same conclusion I have: that poor parenting is at the heart of many of the issues that cause gravitation to the gang culture.

"Add to that a society whose emphasis on affluence and the outward trappings of wealth dominate the national consciousness and you have a perfect storm of factors which yield the results occasioning today's debate."

Expanding on his parenting point, he continued: "I'm referring to the parent who stands by and permits their child to purchase expensive sneakers, the latest blackberry or a huge diamond stud earring and justifies it with 'well it's his/her money'.

"That abrogation of parental responsibility will and does spill over into other areas of choice; membership in gangs included."

He said talks had been ongoing with the Governor and Police Commissioner.

"Those conversations are frank and honest and it is not productive to set them out in the course of this debate," he said.

"What I can say is that the theme of my discussion with the Police leadership and the Governor is a style of policing that has at its core an intention of disrupting the rhythm of those who would adversely affect our way of life.

"This is a phrase that Honourable Members will hear me use again and again as I genuinely believe that in order to win this fight against a minority element with a significant effect on our way of life we must disrupt their rhythm."