The "Town and Country" feud is fuelling youth violence, Police said yesterday.

But Bermuda did not appear to be in the grip of US-style gang violence.

Inspector Craig Morfitt was speaking at a Press conference on violence in the wake of clashes among Island youths.

"Police are looking at the angle that Town and Country are contributing to the violence.

"But I don't think Police can solve it."

Insp. Morfitt said 42 people have been arrested since the Police Support Unit (PSU) has stepped up its efforts to minimise the outbreaks of violence.

While he said Police were trying to maintain order on the Island, Insp. Morfitt, who heads the PSU, said of the arrests,11 were for possession of a controlled drug, and eight people were found with offensive weapons.

"We've found a number of young men are travelling with knives," he said. "We are taking it serious. We are doing the best we can."

And, Insp. Morfitt said, in order for Police to have a heightened presence, the PSU has adjusted its working schedule. "We're trying to be in the right place at the right time," he said.

While he said he could not substantiate the escalating violence was a result of the known marijuana shortage on the Island, Insp. Morfitt admitted the ongoing "Town and Country" feud was a contributing factor to the violence. "That's very much a concern of ours. Most of the people who are instrumentally involved have no idea how the feud started."

And Insp. Morfitt denied claims that Police were hesitant to use the word "gang" when describing groups of youths from different neighbourhoods.

"I'm not sure there's a hesitation," Insp. Morfitt said.

"First of all we have to be certain they are organised gangs."

As he compared Bermuda's youths with gangs, in the US who are heavily involved in criminal activity, he said: "I not sure we have those types of gangs in Bermuda."

Insp. Morfitt dismissed claims that females were being used to smuggle weapons into venues.

"I've not found that to be the case. We have searched and we've not found any weapons on girls at that time."

When the issue of staff shortages were raised during the press conference, while Insp. Morfitt said the PSU had adequate staff, Police media spokesman Dwayne Caines reiterated the Police were doing all it could to ensure the public's needs are met.

"We have the best officers for the job working to a positive end," he said.

"We also have the Reserves at our disposal."

Meanwhile, Insp. Morfitt appealed once again for any witnesses to the attempted machete and baseball attacks at the Devonshire Recreation Club to come forward.

On October 29 last year, news cameras recorded men armed with the weapons chasing a male across the field during the middle of a soccer match. Anyone with information is asked to call Insp. Morfitt at 295-0011.