The Minister of National Security called on Bermuda to live by this year’s Bermuda Day theme of togetherness when addressing violent crime on the island.

Michael Weeks, speaking during Friday’s House of Assembly sitting, said: “The theme this year – Togetherness – was fitting. With what we have been going through the past few weeks it couldn’t have been a better theme.

“I encourage us to remember that, in spite of what we enjoyed on Friday, we have to remember the country is in a situation where we have to address community violence.

“Reach out … do what you can do to reach someone – if you know something say something. Our country is in need of community togetherness and we have to come together in a reflective way and realise it will take all of us together.

“We all have to do our part and find a solution to what our community is going through, we can’t accept this to be the norm, it will not be the norm if we come together to step it up.”

Mr Weeks congratulated Dr Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, for “a job well done” on the Bermuda Day events.

Mr Weeks added: “The minister and team showed some courage because we just came out of Covid protocols, they took a chance. They didn’t have as many participants but what there was made it really enjoyable.”