Paget East is like the rest of the Island — it cannot escape the growing problems of crime and gangs, according to the area's MP Grant Gibbons.

Dr. Gibbons, however, said residents in the area were fighting back with neighbourhood watches and groups like the Paget Titans Youth Programme, run by Don Vickers. What will help, according to Dr. Gibbons is consistency in the manpower when it comes to the neighbourhood Police.

He said: "Crime is another issue that affects everyone. I've certainly heard of the Paget Titans Youth programme — but haven't had any direct contact with it.

"I think it's great that Don Vickers has organised the programme for youngsters from the Paget community — it would seem to be a natural extension of his work with Bermuda Youth Counselling Services and a very positive contribution toward the children's development.

"Some of the neighbourhood watch groups are effective. We have suffered from an increase in break-ins and there was a shooting on Tribe Road Five. We need a consistent Police presence."

Anne Hyde, a resident and secretary of Paget Parish Council, said the council was working on the "broken window" mentality meaning if they take care of their community it won't attract crime.

She said: "The council is trying to involve the residents, the watch groups and the MPs and other stakeholders to work together to find solutions.

"There's a gang aspect and there's kids as young as primary schoolchildren starting to get into gangs. I started a neighbourhood watch because I was sick of being robbed."

Ms. Hyde said she believed there were ten active watches in Paget.