Witnesses to gang-related shootings have been sent to the UK for protection, a detective told a public meeting last night.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Calvin Smith, of the Serious Crime Unit, disclosed the move at a meeting held by the United Bermuda Party (UBP) at Francis Patton School, Hamilton Parish.

Asked by a member of the public what action was being taken on witness protection, Det. Chf. Insp. Smith said: "With regard to witnesses, the Attorney General has come up with the present witness protection plan (the Justice Protection Bill, due to be tabled in Parliament). It is still being worked out.

"We're looking at speaking to our neighbours to the south (Caribbean countries), and people are in the UK right now, who are witnesses to these shootings.

"We're also providing additional patrols, and our CAT (Community Action) Teams are in the neighbourhoods. All this is being done to make people more comfortable and to let them know we are there to help."

He added: "In my 25 years of service I have not had one witness who has been contacted by a criminal or a family. Having said that, there is fear in the community. And it is fearful to witness something and then have to stand in the (witness) box and point the finger.

"Witness protection is a work in progress, but first of all, we as a community must stand up and say, 'Enough is enough'."

Det. Chief Insp. Smith read out a catalogue of examples of murders and violent crimes in which dozens, if not hundreds, of people have witnessed incidents but only a handful have come forward to make statements.

Referring to the stabbing of Referring to the stabbing of 22-year-old Tekle Zion Mallory in July 2001, he said: "The killing at Ice Queen. From video tapes there were in excess of 250 people there. There were 11 statements recorded."

No one was convicted of the murder.

Of the attempted murder of Tarik Foster and fight between gangs of youths wielding machetes at the soccer Friendship Trophy final in April, 2004, he said: "Eleven witnesses, all off-duty Police officers."

As for the 2009 Cup Match brawl at St. George's Cricket Club, he said: "Over 2,000 people witnessed it and we got eight statements."

Det. Chief Insp. Smith then spoke of the murder of Kimwandae Walker, 35, who was shot dead in front of his two children and other families while flying kites at Victor Scott Primary School.

"The Good Friday killing. There were 100 people there and we just learned the colour of the bike last week."

He said the Bermuda Police Service were now removing references to witnesses' addresses in the courts.

"With witnesses we're now taking people's addresses off. We are trying our best to encourage people to come forward and give evidence," he said.

"Forensic evidence does not help us all the time."

Although "people complain about the shootings", he said officers were doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

"I get tired of hearing, 'the Police need to do their job'. My job is to investigate crime. That's my job," he said. The public needed to stand up themselves, he said, and assist Police.

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley echoed his comments.

Sen. Dunkley told the meeting: "We've got to respect law and order as it goes forward. If you want the Police to work effectively for you, you've got to work with them. Relationships have deteriorated with the Police, but we need it to come back. I am tired of this culture of complacency in Bermuda.

"Enough is enough. Let's do something. Let the community provide the action."