The Commissioner of Police said that extra resources would be dedicated to tackling domestic abuse once officer numbers are replenished.

Darrin Simons was speaking to The Royal Gazette during a press conference yesterday updating the public on the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference model that is being adopted in Bermuda.

The Bermuda Police Service already have a dedicated domestic abuse officer and the entire team of the Vulnerable Persons Unit working in this area of crime.

Mr Simons said: “Specifically for the support, we have the domestic abuse officer, and we are looking to grow that number as the numbers within the organisation grow.“

A total of $90,000 has been allocated for a domestic abuse specialist and $150,000 to the Centre Against Abuse.

Mr Simons said he hoped that as confidence grew in the community around improved responses to domestic violence using a collaborative approach, more people would come forward to report incidents.

He explained: “I am hopeful that we will see the amount of reported numbers go up because the reality is that domestic violence is very much a hidden crime or issue.

“As people develop more confidence in their policing services and reporting agencies, those who are currently experiencing domestic violence but are not reporting it develop the confidence to report.

“When you see law enforcement agencies dedicate efforts to particular issues in the community, you see those numbers rise as confidence increases.

“One of my specific aims really is to increase the confidence so that when there is someone who is experiencing a negative situation, they feel that they can call 911 and the service, and consistency in services we deliver, inspires confidence.”