Cameras and metal detectors could be set up at football grounds for just over $1,000, a security expert said this week.

Bermuda Security Group vice president Charlie Grainge said a basic fixed camera costs around $900 to buy and install and can be hooked up to a regular VCR.

And he said a standard hand-held metal detector capable of picking up weapons can be bought for $200 and moved from point to point.

On Sunday following the scenes of violence at Wellington Oval, Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden said it was clear security needed to be stepped up.

Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Dale Butler has refused to comment this week on the subject, instead referring comments to Public Safety Minister Randy Horton but late last year Butler said he was eager for sports venues to be fitted with CCTV cameras.

He said similar initiatives had helped to stem hooliganism in sport overseas, and he believed Bermuda now needed to go that route after a number of violent outbreaks at games.

"It's worked in places like England," said Mr. Butler at the time.

He said there was "no choice" and the public was crying out for something.

He said the pIan, coupled with increased penalty zones, could help ensure football becomes a safe sport again.

One Police source said youths have now taken to sewing long pockets in their trousers to conceal weapons.

Around 40 youths battled each other during Sunday's Friendship Trophy between Somerset Eagles and North Village, with many using machetes and knives ? one youth even appeared to be brandishing a sword. Reports of two guns at the game are also being investigated by Police.

However, in order to make the metal detector work extra staff and perimeter security would have to be tightened up, said Grainge.

"You have to consider people coming over fences. You have to have additional security ? you have got costs with employment in terms of what's needed," he said.

"You have seen in the UK crowd control at football has become a military operation."

One local club which has introduced fixed cameras is Southampton Rangers which has the basic budget equipment, including a camera covering the front of the club where a pitched battled broke out last October after a match between First Division PHC and Social Club.

Grainge said another security option was to take pictures of people as they entered the grounds.

His company installed a more sophisticated system at the National Sports Centre where digital cameras are able to swivel and zoom to cover the entire ground.

The cost of installing them at other grounds would depend on the local cable system but would vary between $5,000 to $10,000.