He plans to bring together a panel of local professionals and overseas crime experts later this year to tackle the trend.

Mr. Edness made the announcement at a clinical social workers conference on the weekend.

It was one of his Ministry's initiatives to deal with families in crisis, he said.

"The conference will look at all types of violence affecting children and families,'' he said.

He was particularly alarmed over increases in domestic violence and the recent brutal attacks on Police officers.

"We were never a society where there was no respect for law and order and where we heard of people attacking Police officers,'' he said.

"We want to try and analyse exactly what causes the violence and why it is happening in Bermuda in a society such as ours,'' he said.

"I am very concerned (about the growth in crime) -- I feel it is unnatural for this society. Two to three decades ago we were not prone towards violence.

I don't know if we are prone now but I do know there has been a tremendous increase in personal violence.'' Mr. Edness said he personally believed much of the violence today stemmed from the home and traditional habits.

"We tend to solve everything by aggression,'' he said.

He did not believe the rise in crime was caused by recessionary job cuts to the Police Force.

Defending them, he said, "The cuts were made to the Police the same as they were throughout Government to try and feed families.

"I notice everyone is blaming the cuts but it needs to be said that Government has since told the Force whatever it requires to deal with the problem, we will support you. It is not manpower that is the root of violence.'' The Ministry was looking at holding the conference in the fall, he said.