Crime fell 3.9 percent in 2009 compared to the previous year, but violent crime rose 6.2 percent.

Firearm offences increased 82 percent in the same period, with 42 confirmed incidents taking place across the Island.

The Bermuda Police Service presented its fourth quarter crime statistics report at a press conference yesterday.

"A long-term trend over the past ten years is that crime is decreasing and 2009 is no exception," said Assistant Commissioner Paul Wright.

"However, the statistics will not hold much sway with a community that is rightly concerned about the current escalation in gun crime and gang violence.

"While the statistics show significant reductions in volume in crimes such as crimes against property, they also point to increases in crimes against the community, anti-social behaviour and crimes against individuals."

Mr. Wright said Police are now targeting gangs, guns, drugs and violence to achieve their top priority of making the Island safer.

"That is why we are focusing on prolific priority offenders — those that present the greatest threat to our community," he said.

As a result, arrests last year increased by 40 percent, 4,556 compared with 3,255 in 2008.

Violent crime has risen by 6.2 percent, however.

A Police breakdown showed the number of murders increased 20 percent. Six people were murdered in 2009 and five the previous year.

Yesterday's statistics also revealed a rise in cases of serious assault 110 were recorded in 2009, an increase of 12 percent.

Traffic collisions in 2009 were the lowest recorded in five years.

The statistics report stated: "It is of note that September to December in 2009 is now the fourth quarter in a row where less than 600 traffic collisions have been recorded. There have been 13 fatal collisions in the 2009 compared to 17 in 2008."

According to Police, residents reported 92 firearm incidents last year. Official reports place the number of offences at 42 however, as 50 incidents were not confirmed by Police due to a lack of witnesses and/or forensic evidence. The figure is up 140 percent compared to the 38 incidents reported to Police in 2008.

A recent Research.bm poll for The Royal Gazette found crime the number one concern for 69 percent of those questioned. The survey was conducted shortly after Perry Puckerin was murdered on January 4. Mr. Puckerin was the fourth man shot dead on the Island in a four-week period. Seventeen people were shot in 2009. Five were murdered as a result of what Police have termed escalating gang violence.

Mr. Wright said: "I think what we saw was a sudden and dramatic increase in gun crimes. We all still remember vividly four shooting deaths in four weeks, but if you look at the volume of suspects coming before the court, anecdotally that has increased significantly.

"Almost every day of the week [people accused of] fairly significant crimes are being charged. This is a testament to the hard work of Police, members of the public calling Crime Stoppers, the Director of Prosecution's terrific case load and the court system particularly Supreme Court's ability to clear the backlog and bring these offenders before the court in a much more timely manner than historically has happened."

Governor Richard Gozney said: "The figures speak for themselves, as do the Bermuda Police when they make clear their focus on murders, firearms and the import of drugs."

United Bermuda Party (UBP) Senator Michael Dunkley said the community is aware of increased gun activity and Police need the public's support.

But he said there was something Government could do too: "We remain deeply concerned about the inflow of firearms and repeat our call for a fresh look at the Police/Customs working relationship at our ports of entry in terms of whether it is the best and most effective arrangement to have.

"It is clear that we have a lot of work to do to stem the changing tide of violence that is ruining the fabric of our community. We will do all we can to help the Police in their efforts to make our community safe and we urge everyone to play a part as together we can make a real difference. We fully back Police targeting of prolific priority offenders."

Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) MP Mark Pettingill said he was surprised the rise in violent crime had not negatively impacted the Government in the polls.

The Research.bm poll also found that 40 percent of people would vote for today's Progressive Labour Party Government compared with 21 percent for the UBP and 16 percent for the BDA. Twenty-three percent were undecided.

"One can only hope that despite this surprising fact the Government will remain motivated to address the problem and support the new Commissioner [Michael DeSilva] who certainly seems to have an action plan," said Mr. Pettingill. "The Government must commit to this.

"The Alliance will continue to do all it can to support positive measures to fight crime and give full support to the Police in their efforts. We must, as a Country, find a better way."

Crime statistics in detail

Police released detailed crime statistics yesterday.

Overall arrests rose by 40 percent. Firearm offences increased by 82 percent from 19 in 2008 to 42 last year.

Included in the statistics was a breakdown of robberies and burglaries by parish.

Robberies are defined as crimes against persons; burglaries as crimes against property.

Pembroke saw 53 burglaries 19 percent of all such incidents on the Island while 42 burglaries reported in Warwick represented 15 percent of the Island's total. St. George's, whose town carries the status of World Heritage Site, had 38 burglaries.

There were 16 robberies in Smith's six percent of the Island's total and 17 in Sandys.

Nine robberies were reported in the City of Hamilton. Six took place in Pembroke and St. George's and Sandys each reported five. There were no robberies last year in Smith's, Devonshire and Paget.

Below is a comparison of the incidence of various offences in 2008 and 2009:

Overall crime was down 3.9 percent.

Murders were up 20 percent five in 2008 and six in 2009.

Serious assaults were up 12 percent, to 110 incidents.

Assaults which fell into the category of "other" were up 18 percent, to 592 incidents.

Sexual assaults decreased 39 percent to 29 incidents.

Offences against children rose 28 percent to 31 incidents.

Firearms offences went up 82 percent to 42 incidents.

"Other" weapon offences rose 14 percent, to 90.

Anti-social behaviour offences were up 15 percent.

Drug importation detection increased 30 percent, with 73 persons nabbed.

Arrests for drug possession rose 39 percent, with 438 detections.

Residential burglary increased by one percent.

Non-residential burglary fell by 39 percent.

Motor vehicle theft increased by 38 percent.