Hamilton is a haunt for criminals rooted in the drug trade, Police figures suggest.

About 25 percent of drug-related crimes occur there. And a similar percentage of bike thieves operate in the City.

The figures have been disclosed as plans get under way for a $1.3 million closed circuit television system in Hamilton.

The bill will be picked up by Government, the Corporation of Hamilton and businesses.

Yesterday Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt revealed letters would be sent out to local businesses this week appealing for help.

He said a $325,000 appeal target had been fixed. And he hoped it would be reached by the end of July.

"We are writing to several hundred businesses, appealing for them to make contributions for the initial start-up costs.'' Mr. Sherratt said the Corporation would contribute $325,000 -- with Government picking up the remaining $650,000 tab.

The figures on drugs and cycle thefts were disclosed by a senior planning officer during a public meeting on the new City Plan, a blueprint for Hamilton's future.

Last month the Police revealed they arrested 118 people in connection with drugs in the first three months of this year, compared to 108 over the same time last year.

Between January and March there were 136 drug-related seizures.

Earlier this year, Hamilton was one of the places targeted in a move to protect young people from drug dealers.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act, 1997, a 100-metre protective cordon will be thrown around the Washington Lane bus terminal.

Drug dealers there will face particularly stiff penalties: fines up to $10,000 and an extra five-year jail term.

The legislation -- brought before the House of Assembly by Education Minister Jerome Dill -- also provides a 300-metre total exclusion zone around all schools and the Bermuda College.

It is understood Government plans to monitor some of the zones using surveillance cameras.

Yesterday Mr. Sherratt said cycle thefts in the City had been higher than 25 percent at times.

"This is certainly one of the reasons why we wanted closed circuit television.

"We have just had a consultant come out to examine where the camera sites will be placed.'' Mr. Sherratt said it had been decided to put them in the City centre and Bull's Head multi-storey car park.

"We want to make sure people who use the car park feel safe and secure.'' Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott recently warned of a possible invasion of privacy by the cameras.

Roger Sherratt