The Commissioner of Police highlighted a “worrying trend” of knife-carrying and said officers were regularly reminded about the risk of people in possession of blades.

Darrin Simons shared figures that showed there were eight incidents when bladed weapons were used to cause injury in the first quarter of 2023.

The figure for the whole of 2022 was 16.

Mr Simons said the Bermuda Police Service encouraged officers "to be aware … from an officer-safety perspective“.

He added that law enforcers who carried out stop-and-search patrols or policed the night-time economy were also urged to be mindful.

Mr Simons added: “It regularly features in our patrol briefings for officer awareness around bladed articles and it actually featured in this year’s officer-safety training.

“It is a worrying trend and I definitely take this opportunity to encourage parents to be aware of where their children are going, what they’re carrying with them and for establishments also to think about what they could do to increase safety within their establishments.

“Generally, for people to resolve conflict without the use of bladed articles.”

Police earlier this month highlighted that officers were being called to incidents involving knives.

A BPS spokesman said then: “It is troubling that individuals are arming themselves with bladed items out of fear of being targeted for violence.

“However, we reiterate that carrying a knife or other bladed item actually puts you at greater risk of becoming involved in a dangerous situation, rather than preventing you from becoming a victim.

“Our advice is always that should you feel threatened, walk away from possible confrontation.”

Mr Simons told The Royal Gazette: “Definitely, overwhelmingly, people that arm themselves are more likely to be the victim of crime than people who don’t."

He said: “It’s difficult to say how these issues trend or why.”

The police commissioner pointed out that bladed articles were “everywhere you go … so they are readily available”.

Police launched a crackdown on knife crime in February last year and stepped up search patrols.

It was said last July that people took knives to school for protection.

The penalties for being found in public carrying a bladed article, if convicted on indictment, are imprisonment for four years or a fine of $5,000 or both.

A police spokesman earlier asked anyone who felt threatened not to arm themselves, but to report concerns to someone in authority.

He added: “You may call 211, the main police number 295-0011 or speak with a police officer you’re familiar with.

“The BPS are here to help reduce harm and make Bermuda safer.”