Two men wielding a gun robbed a jewellery shop off Front Street near midday yesterday, marking the island’s tenth armed robbery since Boxing Day.

The pair, their faces concealed by reflective helmet visors, struck the Gem Cellar in the Walker Arcade shortly before 11.30am, while the area was busy with shoppers, including tourists.

No one was physically harmed, but the weapon was brandished at a female member of staff who was ordered to hand over jewellery and cash into a shopping bag.

The two, described by police as black males of slim to medium build between 5ft 11in and 6ft 2in, escaped on a motorcycle.

Staff at businesses close by heard sounds of a brief disturbance, but told The Royal Gazette that they attributed shouts to construction in the area.

“Which one is next, that’s the question,” said one woman from a neighbouring business.

Another said: “All I heard was one of the employees coming out saying there had been a gun. She just seemed disbelieving. You never expect to see a gun.”

The arcade runs between Front Street and Reid Street, with the jewellery store towards the back of the lower level.

“I heard some commotion but I didn’t even realise there was anything going on,” said a male member of staff from a third business in the arcade.

“Nothing like that has happened around here.”

Police visited the premises to see if security cameras had caught the incident, he added.

The Gem Cellar had a camera near its entrance, and within hours police released images of the pair walking through the arcade, one carrying a bag, both concealing their faces. Tinted or mirrored visors, a feature in many robberies, have been the subject of repeated calls for a ban, including a campaign by this newspaper.

The Bermuda Government signalled in last November’s Throne Speech that a ban would come after a period of consultation.

One businessman complained that “many of the tenants here have been asking the landlord for proper security cameras”, saying that the only cameras were those of private businesses. However, the facility manager declined to comment when contacted by The Royal Gazette.

Paula Clarke, head of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s retail division, expressed hope that swift police action would end with the perpetrators prosecuted “to the full extent of the law”.

“Retailers will continue to tighten up their security measures to protect their employees and property in light of today’s event,” she said.

“This is a disappointing turn of events — our citizens and visitors should not have to witness this type of behaviour. This is not the Bermuda we wish to showcase.”

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said any such incident was cause for concern, and that Community Action Team officers would canvass business owners to give crime prevention advice.

Walter Roban, the Acting Deputy Leader of the Opposition, condemned the incident on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party, adding: “This behaviour has become too frequent and too common in our community, and should not be tolerated. Our thoughts are with the staff who had to endure such a terrifying situation.”

Mr Roban called on the public to assist the police with any possible information.

“This behaviour has no place in our society, and those that think they can act in this manner to our community will pay the price for their antisocial behaviour,” he said.

• Police are appealing for anyone who may have information to contact them on 295-0011, or to use the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.