Crime is now the public's number one concern — replacing worries over the economy — according to a new poll by Research.bm.

The survey shows 21 percent of people think crime is the biggest issue facing the Island, up from 19 percent at the start of this year. Fear of crime is particularly high among the black community, with 27 percent citing it as their top concern, compared with 16 percent of whites.

Meanwhile, faith in the direction of Bermuda's economy has grown over the past few weeks, despite the global recession and its effect on international business.

Public Safety Minister David Burch and Government House reacted to the poll results by urging people to help Police track down criminals and, according to Sen. Burch: "Claw back our neighbourhoods."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley urged Government to concentrate on fighting crime instead of fighting among themselves.

People were quizzed in April, at a time when crime had regularly featured in the headlines for a number of weeks.

Recently released statistics showed violent crime had risen by almost ten percent in 2008, with growing incidences of firearm offences and robberies.

Government faced criticism for cutting the Police budget by $2.3 million, with Public Safety Minister David Burch saying the best way to deal with Bermuda's criminals was for officers to take "aggressive and appropriately violent" action.

In a statement yesterday, Sen. Burch said he had reviewed the statistics and appreciates residents' concerns.

He said he has support and confidence in the Police and "wholeheartedly endorses" their intention to step up enforcement through stop and search methods.

But he said Police need the cooperation of all residents to "claw back our neighbourhoods from the criminal elements".

He stated: "While I have been very vocal in recent months regarding the Bermuda Police Service, I am also of the view that they cannot do it alone. It must be a two way street.

"They need the assistance of all of us, particularly when it comes to ferreting out those responsible in serious criminal cases.

"It should never be forgotten that Police officers serve and protect us everyday, and they need to know that what they do on a daily basis is not being done in vain. And the community's support can go a long way in ensuring they know that."

A Government House spokesman said: "Bermuda Police Service, with the full support of the Government of Bermuda and Government House, is working hard to deal with the relatively small number of people responsible for the crime in our society.

"While making steady progress on several fronts, more information from the community would help the police to bring criminals to justice more quickly. Those that withhold vital information from the police do themselves a disservice, as well as their neighbours and the wider community of Bermuda."

Sen. Dunkley said: "Sadly crime has risen to the top of concerns in the most recent poll after having been one of the top concerns for a number of years. This is not unexpected as we have allowed concerns about crime to rise without listening to the pulse of the community in relation to these concerns whether it be the spread of drugs in our community, the increasing use of guns or the growing gang culture that is now embedded throughout Bermuda.

"The Progressive Labour Party Government only shows concern after an incident but to date has shown little in their actions to deal with these matters in spite of the outrage from the people of Bermuda."Sen. Dunkley noted that education and unemployment were also cited by some."In my opinion these tie into with crime as without education one will find it very difficult to gain employment," he said."Again the Government has failed on these issues as many in the community feel that Government ministers too often seem to be taking care of themselves, or their friends, but show little regard for Mr. and Mrs. Joe Public."We are facing tough times and during these tough times there are many difficult matters to be dealt with. It is time this Government does more than just talk and in this regard we need a Government that, instead of fighting amongst themselves in Alaska Hall, starts to fight for the people throughout Bermuda."He said the United Bermuda Party has proposed a raft of initiatives and is ready to work with Government and the Governor to help make Bermuda a safer place.The poll also showed 20 percent of people now put the economy/unemployment as their top concern, down from 22 percent in the previous poll in January.Twenty-seven percent of people now say they are confident in the direction of the Island's economy, up from 18 percent in January; with 32 percent saying they are not confident, down from 48 percent.Belief in the economy is higher among blacks, with 35 percent confident, compared with 12 percent of whites neither group described themselves as "very confident".Other issues playing on people's minds at the moment are education, housing, racism and tourism, with 12 percent, nine percent, five percent and three percent respectively listing them as their top concerns.The telephone survey of 400 people has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.