Police Commissioner George Jackson has hit back over allegations from Public Safety Minister David Burch that his officers need to toughen up on criminals.

"There has been much commentary that the Police are doing nothing or (are) never to be seen. I have heard little praise for the courage of my officers men and women who are out on the streets day and night policing our community," said Mr. Jackson yesterday, in an apparent reference to Senator Burch's comments last week.

"You will recall the two recent cases one where officers chasing a suspect were shot at, and more recently the pursuit and arrest of an armed individual. I would like to place on public record my appreciation to my officers for the courage and professionalism they displayed in those incidents and continue to display on a daily basis."

During a strongly-worded press conference on March 3, Sen. Burch said: "I want the Bermuda Police Service to stop tiptoeing through the oleanders. I think there is a problem in the Police service in that there is a reluctance to even step out. It's not just in the Police service, it's across the board. People are afraid of being criticised, of being penalised."

The Minister said he wanted to assure officers that they had the full support of the Government in getting tougher with offenders.

"We want action and we want decisive, aggressive and appropriately violent action," he added.

Two days later, he expressed regret over the use of the word "violent" but stressed again that he wanted "aggressive" action from the Police.

"I would like them kick in some doors and use the intelligence that they have to be more proactive," said the Minister. "The vast majority of people say they are fed up and they (have) had enough and they want the Police to Police this country." He said he would make his points forcefully at a meeting slated for the following day.

Giving his view of the situation yesterday in the aftermath of that meeting, Mr. Jackson said he shared concerns over escalating gang activity, but refuted suggestions that the Police aren't doing their job.

"Last year my officers arrested over 3,000 persons. That figure includes 13 persons arrested for firearms offences. Of the 3,000 arrested, 520 were arrested more than once and one person was arrested 15 times in the year," he revealed.

"A number of firearms have been recovered by Police...the recent convictions for the murder of Aquil Richardson among other cases show all quarters of the Police service are focused on gun, gang and drug crime.

"Of the safety on our roads, the constant call is for more Police enforcement. Last year, my officers issued almost 10,000 tickets for traffic violations. I think those numbers alone should speak volumes to Police activity on the streets."

The Police chief said of the meeting with Sen. Burch: "The Minister emphasised his concerns. There is total agreement that the growing menace of gangs is a priority for the Police service.

"The Police goal remains to strengthen our community policing approach and engage with our communities on all matters of concern. However, this gang behaviour and wanton violence will not be tolerated. The Police response to violence will be robust but it will remain within the law, and my officers will apply the law fully."

Outlining the scale of the problem, he told the media there is a "significant group" of mainly young men embroiled in gang behaviour on the Island.

"Some are trying to copy the behaviours of criminal gangs in other countries. Everything from the way they dress, the crimes they commit and their weapons including firearms they are prepared to use shows that they are choosing a life outside the law. They try to mark out their territory; they are regularly getting into violent clashes with one another often with the use of weapons," he complained.

"Weekly, we learn of thefts from one another gold chains being one of the most common items taken. I use the word learn because in many of these cases the victim refuses to report the matter to the Police or support the Police investigation. On many occasions the victims are outnumbered by their attackers. That is a problem that must be addressed by the Police and by others."

He added: "I am speaking directly now to those young men engaging in gang and gun behaviour. Being afraid of what the gang next door is doing is no excuse and tit-for-tat revenge is no excuse. It gets us nowhere.

"Continuing as you are is only going to end in misery for yourself or for your family or friends and family. At best you will spend a long time in prison, or there's going to be loss of life, further bloodshed. I urge you to stop this nonsense immediately."