The Premier is to meet with Governor Sir Richard Gozney this morning to discuss bringing in specialist overseas officers to coordinate a Police crackdown on guns and gang-related violence.

Dr. Ewart Brown, accompanied by Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Public Safety Minister David Burch, is to make the plea in the wake of three drive-by shootings at the weekend.

The violence resulted in the murder of one man and gunshot injuries to another four, some of whom were innocent bystanders.

Following the third incident in Court Street on Saturday morning, the Premier appealed for calm among the community but said Government was ready to meet force with force.

"This is not the way to celebrate Bermuda Day, especially during our 400th Anniversary," said Dr. Brown.

"I was called early this morning about what appears to be retaliatory shootings in the Court Street area.

"Gangster-style shootings are not an acceptable way of life in Bermuda. I have seen this ugliness before. I was living in Los Angeles when the daily bloodbaths between the Bloods and the Crips turned that city into a war zone.

"It is the sickest form of human existence. Resolution of differences and problems using gun play is indeed sick.

"Cannibalism in the name of unity is a repulsive choice."

The Premier said: "This is yet another incident where we must add to the skills of the Bermuda Police Service by bringing in some outside assistance to stop this rot in Bermuda.

"That is the message I will be conveying to the Governor.

"Between now and then I'm asking the community to remain calm and those involved and engaged in violence to put down their weapons.

"I am also asking the community to support the Police in their investigations, to find out exactly who and what is at the root of this destructive behaviour. Bermuda deserves better."

Dr. Brown added: "We will address once again with the Governor the importance of attacking this situation aggressively. I also happen to agree with comments made by the Rev. Leroy Bean (of anti-gang group CARTEL), who has some experience in this area and who has described what he classes as the soft side, and I think that's important as well."

In Saturday's The Royal Gazette, Rev. Bean said the search for a solution to Bermuda's growing gang problem would have to come from a "collaborative effort" by the community.

He said: "It is going to take building relationships with care givers the families, members and affiliates of the gangs themselves, plus the support of Government."

At a press conference on Saturday, the Premier said it was also time to "get tough".

"We must speak as Germans to Germans, if we expect Germans to understand," he said.

Asked whether he would now push for the creation of a SWAT team, he said: "I have learned not to prescribe for the Police the appropriate action. But something tells me that capability exists."

In August Dr. Brown announced a raft of measures aimed at "ending the anti-social behaviour among young people that is threatening our country's very way of life".

The announcement was made in the wake of the drive-by shooting of Prince Barrington Edness, 22, and the stabbing death of Kellon Hill, 18.

"Those who choose gunfire to settle their disputes should be on alert. Our strongest stand yet against your senseless violence could be on the horizon," said Dr. Brown.

"We believe the time has come to explore the formation of a Bermuda SWAT team," he said at the time.

On Saturday, the Premier said of the latest shootings: "Clearly it has gotten out of hand."

He told The Royal Gazette: "I'm hurt and ashamed quite honestly, because this is not the Bermuda that I know we can be.

"My sympathies are with anyone who has been injured by this behaviour. It is just senseless."

Asked about what kind of overseas officers could be drafted in, he said: "I won't expand on it now. I just refer to it as outside experience, people with experience in crushing this kind of activity."