Government's leader in the Senate Colonel David Burch yesterday said there would be no funding made available to provide a 24-hour Police station in St. George's once the present station closed down.

Sen. Burch said it did not make sense to have a new Police station at Southside, as has been promised, and a second one across the water at St. George's.

But he said the old town of St. George's would continue to be policed and residents had no need to worry.

He spoke out after Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan urged Government to make finances available to enable St. George's to retain a Police station when the present one closes later this year.

He said in a 1.5 mile radius, during the summer months, there would be about 7,000 people living, staying and visiting the historic town.

Sen. Swan said with so many bars, restaurants, shops and businesses, Police needed to ensure that the town had a high Police presence.

And he praised Commissioner of Police Jonathan Smith, but criticised Government for failing to ensure that a Cabinet member was at a Police public meeting in St. George's a fortnight ago, when the issue of the Police station was raised several times.

Sen. Swan said: “It's going to be one of the most densely populated areas in Bermuda that does not have a Police station. And we are still working out the details (of how it will be policed).

“To me, it does not make sense. It needs some serious consideration and I cannot sit back and not voice my concern.”

Sen. Swan said over-development of the area and Government neglect of the Police station had led to the situation where Commissioner Smith was in desperate need of a new station for his officers.

The current station does not meet space or environmental health requirements, and does not have the facilities for policing in 2002.

Sen. Swan added: “It might be a good move for the Police, but it may not be a good move for policing the town of St. George's.

Government Senator Calvin Smith said the decision to have a new Police station in Southside, and Commissioner Smith's opinions on it, were not politically-based.

And Colonel Burch said there was no politics being played in the issue of the new Police station.

He said: “I found your comment offensive towards the Commissioner of Police. He is most unlikely to succumb to political interference.

“We are talking about 21.5 square miles. I'm not saying a definitive decision has been made.

“We won't provide funding for a 24-hour Police station in St. George's and Southside.”