Opposition politician Shawn Crockwell last night called for anti-gang legislation to break the growing problem of youth violence.

Mr. Crockwell spoke out as a new survey revealed that crime remains the public's number one concern, with 32 percent of people citing it as the biggest issue facing Bermuda. The fledgling UBP MP told The Royal Gazette: "Gang culture is now so deep-seated that we need to consider making gang membership an illegal act.

"This is an extreme step to consider, but we believe the problem of gangs in Bermuda is nearly beyond control.

"Murder among our young people is only the most extreme and disturbing manifestation of gang culture. More broadly, gangs provide a home for alienated youths, making it very difficult to get them back on paths that can lead them to being productive, law-abiding citizens."

The Shadow Transport Minister said gangs had been growing in Bermuda for the past two decades, largely under-estimated or ignored by officials.

"They are now emerging as a force in our society, entrenched and organised," he said. "Some government programmes, such as Mirrors, may help in preventing some young people in today's generation who have gone astray get back on track through individual counselling, but we believe strong action must be directed at the gang entity itself.

"We need tough initiatives in order to correct and eventually immobilise this out-of-control problem."

Mr. Crockwell said Bermuda Police Service should make it a priority to recruit officers with experience of gangs.

"We are too small a jurisdiction to allow gangs to terrorise our communities but it is our size that gives us an advantage to effectively eradicate gangs," he said. "With the right expertise and commitment from Government and the people we can win back our streets in less than five years."

He added: "Combating gang culture will take more than an act of legislation but we believe the time is long overdue to draw a line in the sand.

"Gang culture, gang membership, if they continue to flourish, will pose a serious challenge to the best aspects of our way of life."