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Police pledge strong New Year’s presence

Police have said they will have a strong presence over New Year.

Police today pledged to continue with high visibility patrols over the New Year weekend adding that they will be ‘ramping’ up enforcement of laws stopping people driving while using a cell phone.Superintendent Martin Weekes said so far he was pleased to report that the Christmas Holiday period had passed with few public order incidents.“For that we wish to thank the public for their support,” he said.He said there was one serious incidence of robbery at the Hitching Post in Sandys when five men robbed about $25,000, and he said he was still appealing for witnesses.Mr Weekes added: “Throughout the Christmas long weekend the Bermuda Police Service, assisted by the Bermuda Reserve Police, deployed extra crime prevention patrols with the intent of reducing incidents of violence and antisocial behaviour and making Bermuda safer.“Whilst there were some minor incidents of violence in and around licenced premises they were swiftly and robustly dealt with and there were no serious injuries reported.“Significant attention was also focused on Bermuda’s roads and a number of persons were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving during the period.“Going forward into the New Year the Bermuda Police Service wishes to advise the public that we will be continuing in the same vein, and supported by the Bermuda Reserve Police, will continue to show a strong, highly visible police presence throughout the long New Year’s weekend.“Police resources will be visible throughout the New Year’s festivities on Saturday night and the football games around the Island on New Year’s Day.“Patrols will again be paying particular attention to offences of impaired driving this weekend and we ask the motoring public for their patience when travelling on the roads this weekend where they are caught up in road checks designed to keep our roads safe.”Supt Weekes added: “I would also like at this stage, to bring to the attention of the motoring public that following the New Year’s holidays, the Bermuda Police Service will be “ramping up” its response to the new legislation regarding the using of hand held mobile phones and other hand held devices whilst driving.“Everyone is now of course aware of the legislation and the penalties for contravention, and the Bermuda Police Service will be out on the roads after the weekend rigorously enforcing the new rules. I therefore urge the motoring public to take the time now to think about their behaviours in regards to using cell phones and other devices whilst driving and modify that behaviour accordingly before they get a ticket or another collision takes place.“On behalf of the Commissioner of Police I wish the public a safe and Happy New Year.”