The below statement is in response to a media query received from the Royal Gazette.

“The Somerset area of the Warren Simmons Community Field has a long-standing history of attracting people to congregate and socialise nearby. The antisocial element of those groups, unfortunately, adversely impacts the community and area businesses. In this way, the area is sadly not the only one across Bermuda that experiences this problem. The BPS is aware of the perennial issues, particularly in neighbourhoods where alcohol is sold for off-licence consumption, and over the years we have taken enforcement action where it is justified and lawful to do so.

We know that alcohol and antisocial behaviour are inextricably linked in our community, and in circumstances where there are no lawful powers for the police to use, we encourage that businesses take an environmental approach to designing crime out from the area. By fostering healthy spaces surrounding licensed premises, incidents of roadside consumption of alcohol are likely to reduce and antisocial behaviour is less likely to occur. We also recommended the service of registered letters to ban the most prolific offenders from attending the area’s businesses and causing a nuisance in the area.

Community Action Teams are available at each of the island’s police stations to provide free crime prevention advice. The police will continue to work with neighbourhood residents and business owners to tackle antisocial behaviour through a combination of enforcement and prevention measures.”