Police have been given additional powers to try to stop suspects breaching their bail by heading straight from the police station to the airport.Junior National Security Minister Jonathan Smith agreed Bermuda’s law needed to be tightened up, as some suspects sign their bail release forms then “jump straight in a taxi to the airport”.Senator Smith said there was currently very little police could do and unfortunately many suspects remained overseas years later.This is the reason Senators unanimously passed the Bail Amendment Act 2011 giving police a new power of arrest.Under the new amendments, police will now be able to arrest people they suspect are going to breach bail. Currently officers only have the power to arrest suspects after they have breached bail and fled the Island.Police officers can use their new power of arrest in circumstances where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person is likely to breach the conditions of their bail.Sen Smith said considering his “former life” as Bermuda’s Police Commissioner, this was a piece of legislation he could relate to.He said: “It was so difficult to see someone sign a bail form, then they’d leave the police station and take a taxi straight to the airport to get out the country.“They are on police bail and off they go and there was nothing we could do. Some are still overseas today.”Sen Smith praised the legislation for giving police “yet another tool in their toolbox” so that they can: “Put offenders where they need to be.”It’s hoped the bill will also limit revenge attacks, by allowing a suspect’s safety to be a factor when police decide whether to grant bail.Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson introduced the bill saying the amendments were necessary as Bermuda was facing “unprecedented challenges” with its high levels of gun violence.Senator Wilson said: “It’s essential for Bermuda to adopt this. This is not only prudent but necessary.”She added that Bermuda was experiencing a climate of “tit-for-tat crimes with people at risk of violent reprisals.”Shadow National Security Minister Michael Dunkley called it “a responsible piece of legislation.” He said it was important we had a safety clause as “times have changed in Bermuda.”However, Senator Dunkley questioned exactly how the new law would work and what the requirements would be.He said: “We have tremendous challenges within law and order and an increase in anti-social behaviour so it is important to get the legislation right first time.”Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes, vice president of the Senate, said he was in favour of whatever needed to be done to tighten bail conditions.He said: “We have had some unfortunate incidences, people just wander off and next thing we know they are in California.”The new legislation is compatible with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).