Overseas Territories Minister Henry Bellingham began his visit to the Island with a tour by sea of Bermuda’s maritime policing and port security, just hours after his arrival.Aside from learning how marine police work with the Bermuda Regiment, the boat trip alongside Governor Sir Richard Gozney “gave a good impression of the lay of the land”, Mr Bellingham said.“Part of the intention was to see as much of the territory as possible. Bermuda’s maritime tradition is very strong, and it was also a chance to soak up an understanding of the history of the Island.“My purpose also was to see how Bermuda’s defence force and police work together. The Bermuda defence force provides assistance with counter narcotics, search and rescue and other tasks.”The Regiment assistance with anti-gang initiatives was another of the items discussed, the Minister added.With the UK’s White Paper on the Overseas Territories due next year, Mr Bellingham will have a full agenda during his first visit to Bermuda. He departs tomorrow.From 3pm to 4.15pm yesterday, Mr Bellingham toured Hamilton Harbour and was given a review of dock policing, then sped to the Paradise Lakes area to check on a patrol, before heading to Dockyard to examine the cruise ship area.Major Chris Wheddon, commander of Regiment’s support company explained: “Because of the increase in gang activity in the past two or three years, the police have had to divert resources. This has left the marine unit low on manpower, which the Regiment’s boat troupe augments.”Major Wheddon added: “There has been talk of gang members travelling on jet skis in the Paradise Lakes area. Some of it is just Facebook rumour but in other cases there have been actual sightings, and the Regiment will provide intelligence to police on that.”This summer was the second with the Regiment helping the Marine Police Unit.Travelling with Marine Police Sergeant Ed Peach, Warrant Officer Jeffrey Patterson and Pc Chris Taggett, Mr Bellingham had a chance encounter with the police boat Guardian, which carries a mixed crew of police reserves and members of the Regiment.Mr Bellingham’s trip also coincided with the arrival in Hamilton Harbour of the container ship Oleander and the sloop Spirit of Bermuda.“We are showing the Island at its best to our visitor, which is the first thing he has done here,” Sir Richard said.A member of the Conservative Party, Mr Bellingham is also MP for North West Norfolk.Next year’s White Paper is to detail the British Government’s approach to its 14 overseas territories, of which Bermuda is the most populous.In a ministerial statement earlier this month, Mr Bellingham said the White Paper’s goal was to strengthen the UK’s engagement with its Territories, to work with them in strengthening good governance arrangements, public financial management and economic planning, and to improve the quality and range of support available.lUseful website: www.fco.gov.uk.