The Ministry of National Security and the Bermuda Police Service will be discussing safety at large-scale events in the light of violence that marred the Cup Match holiday.

Senator Jeff Baron, the national security minister, said its Group Violence Intervention Strategy would consider the events that led to four people being injured on Friday and Sunday evenings.

“Violence in any context is upsetting — it is shocking and it is something that we should not tolerate in Bermuda,” Mr Baron told The Royal Gazette.

“It makes it that much more of an affront when it happens at a Cup Match event or in the water where there are thousands of people there to enjoy a fun event.

“Regardless of where it happens the Ministry of National Security will continue its Group Violence Intervention Strategy and to look at best practices on how we are policing and managing large-scale public events whether it be at Heroes weekend, be it at Cup Match.

“We will continue to look at how we are dealing with that.”

One man has been arrested in connection with a mêlée at Mangrove Bay at about 5.20pm on Sunday, when men in the water after the Non-Mariners Day celebrations became combative towards each other, throwing bottles and other projectiles.

An 18-year-old man needed hospital treatment for a stab wound to his shoulder and an 18-year-old woman was hit in the head by a flying object.

Two days earlier, two men were to hospital after being stabbed in the men’s bathrooms of Somerset Cricket Club, between 7.30pm and 9.45pm.

On Bermuda’s previous holiday weekend, National Heroes Day in June, cricketer Fiqre Crockwell was shot dead after a function at the BAA car park.

Mr Baron continued: “While they are unfortunate and there are elements in our society who are disregarding the safety of many others, we mustn’t allow that behaviour to make any impact on the meaning on why we celebrate Emancipation Day, why we celebrate Somers Day and why we gather together as a community to celebrate what we have here in Bermuda.

“We believe the community tensions as a result may be affected.

“This will certainly be something that we discuss. We have oversight of disaster management and we are more than happy to work with all event planners in making those steps well before.”

Mr Baron said he was on site during Non-Mariners Day to gain insight into the challenges faced by the police.

“It was not just an opportunity to interact with the community but also to see in rich details the challenges are of the officers and event co-ordinators.”

Anyone with information about the incidents should telephone Clifford Roberts Jr on 295-0011.