Legislation allowing Police to confiscate hoodies, banning late night noise and sending security guards on training programmes passed through the Senate yesterday.

Senators gave full support to three bills, all designed to crack down on anti-social behaviour: the Criminal Code Amendment Act, the Summary Offences Amendment Act and the Private Investigators and Security Guards Amendment Act.

Attorney General Kim Wilson said she wanted to clear up reported confusion on the first item, assuring the Upper House there won't be a full-scale ban on hoodies.

Police will only exercise their powers when they believe somebody is wearing such a garment with the sole purpose of concealing their identity, said Sen. Wilson.

Independent senators Walwyn Hughes and Joan Dillas-Wright and United Bermuda Party Sen. Suzann Roberts-Holshouser all said that although they support the legislation, it's a sad day for Bermuda that it's become necessary.

Sen. Roberts-Holshouser said she hopes Police are given special training on how to implement their new powers.

Progressive Labour Party Senate Leader David Burch hit back at criticism of the move from defence lawyers.

"It really has to do with the crisis that we face warranting something different from what we have traditionally done," he said.

"All of us are determined that we are not going to go down the road to ruin. I would invite those who criticise, apart from defending criminals, to tell us what you are trying to do to abolish this type of behaviour."

PLP Sen. Thaao Dill said all aspects of human life had been tainted by the rise in crime, but that Government's overall philosophy would help make the changes to put that right.

Under the Summary Offences legislation, it will be against the law to play loud music between midnight and 6 a.m. without a licence. Sen. Roberts Holshouser said many St. David's constituents had complained about loud noise to her; Sen. Dillas-Wright warned that, while she supported the legislation, young people still need to have fun.

The Private Investigators bill means the Commissioner of Police will keep a register of licensed investigators and security guards, with all required to undergo training.

Sen. Burch said this is part of a package to address anti-social behaviour but should not be seen as a magic bullet to solve the problem.

Also yesterday, senators passed the Jurors Amendment Act, which widens the jury pool by increasing the age of eligibility from 65 to 70 and allowing Justices of the Peace, vets, dentists and spouses of MPs, barristers and prison officers to serve.

Sen. Roberts Holshouser suggested recruiting jurors from overseas, but PLP Senator Walton Brown argued defendants should be tried by their Bermudian peers.