Hamilton's crime cameras have been up so long that contractors are gearing up to do routine maintenance on the $1.25 million system -- yet there is still no date set for when they will finally be used.

Home affairs minister Paula Cox admitted the big switch-on could be weeks away as community groups chewed over a code of practice for the cameras, which have been in place around Hamilton since late last year.

But the United Bermuda Party's Michael Dunkley blasted Government for dragging its feet over getting a code of practice approved.

He said: "Let's get on with it. We're paying for maintenance but we haven't got the value. It's a waste of time and money.'' "I really don't think this is a high priority for the Government. I am sure the police are a lot further forward in implementing it than the Government.'' Paula Cox said Government is putting a high priority on the civil-liberties implications of the spy cameras and is producing a set of rules that will not lead to further problems.

She said: "We don't want a situation where a good criminal lawyer would say in court that the evidence was inadmissible.'' She refused to say when Government had approved the code of practice -- which was now being reviewed by community groups -- including the Bermuda Bar Association.

But she admitted that if these groups did raise objections then the code would have to be reviewed, causing further delay.

Ms Cox said: "I would be very surprised if anyone did want changes. It's to inform people before it's finalised.

"There was a worry that the cameras would be intrusive so this process is really just to reassure people. I would say the cameras will be rolling in weeks rather than months.'' Mr. Dunkley said he was glad Government was consulting the community but he didn't understand why it hadn't been done much earlier. "The Government needs to get on top of crime and drugs,'' he said. "It's another indication they're not willing to tackle this issue.

"Only recently crime statistics showed crime has gone up. The Government is afraid to act.'' "There was a recent spate of handbag snatches where the robbers would have been caught if the cameras had been working.'' Police are negotiating with a security firm over a contract to train the service in how to use the cameras, which are linked to a control room at Police HQ.