Thursday morning.

P.c Venning said the officer approached a group of youths who were sitting on a wall drinking beer.

He asked them to move their cycles which were parked all over the grass and on the sidewalks.

One of the group apparently approached the officer and started shouting abuse before throwing his sunglasses on the ground.

He then ran to some nearby bushes and produced a machete.

Assistance was called and the culprit was disarmed and arrested in a violent struggle.

Enquiries are continuing.

OPERATIION CLEANSWEEP LEADER RETURNS HOME POL Operation Cleansweep leader returns home The man behind Operation Cleansweep has returned home.

Police spokesperson P.c. Gary Venning said Det. Supt. Paul Hoare flew back to England yesterday.

P.c. Venning said the Commissioner, Colin Coxall, was grateful to Det. Supt.

Hoare for his six-months service to Bermuda leading Operation Cleansweep.

And the Commissioner said the Island should be grateful for his and Scotland Yard's help.

P.c. Venning added Ch. Insp. George Jackson would return to the Island, from training with Scotland Yard, in the near future.

WARWICK MAN, 44, VICTIM OF ASSAULT BY YOUTHS CTS Warwick man, 44, victim of assault by youths Police are investigating the apparent assault of a 44-year old Warwick man.

Police spokesperson P.c. Gary Venning said the victim reported that around 1.30 p.m. on Thursday two youths were seen at the entrance to his property.

The victim said he approached the pair and asked them to leave. He was then allegedly attacked and punched in the face, suffering a deep gash to his nose which needed hospital treatment.

US VISITORS TARGETED BY BEACH BAG SNATCHER CRM US visitors targeted by beach bag snatcher Two American visitors had their bags stolen from Horseshoe Beach on Thursday afternoon.

Police spokesperson P.c. Gary Venning said the couple were from a visiting cruise ship and claimed they left their two knapsacks on the beach at around 4.30 p.m.

After swimming for about 20 minutes they came back to the beach and found their bags had been stolen.

One of the bags was later found on a trail leading to the car park and had $100 missing from it.

But the other bag, containing cash cameras, prescription glasses and other person items was not found.

BUSINESS WHIZZ-KIDS TO CONVERGE ON HOTEL CON Business whizz-kids to converge on hotel About 200 members of the Young Presidents' Organisation are meeting at the Southampton Princess from July 27 to August 2 for a week long conference.

The international organisation is made up of 8,000 members who became presidents and chief executive officers of a company before the age of 44. The company must employ at least 50 staff, and meet certain financial standards.

The conference chairmen are Bill and Hilary Midon. Mr. Midon is president of InterVest International. He is also chairman of Millennium International Ltd.

(formerly BSL Holdings), and Staples Ltd.

During the week members will attend classes on a variety of topics, including business skills, parenting, environmental issues and career building.