Police reported 23 arrests over the Easter holiday weekend for offences including outstanding warrants, impaired driving, possession of bladed articles and possession of controlled drugs.

Two drivers were detained at roadside sobriety checkpoints for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The highest alcohol reading recorded was 136 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mg/100ml.

In addition, the island marked 14 reported road traffic collisions.

Five were classed as damage only, while six resulted in injury — with the most serious said to be a broken leg.

Martin Weekes, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, highlighted a dangerous trend of people carrying bladed articles after noting five arrests for the offence at stop-and-search checkpoints on the roads during the holiday.

Weapons seized included an axe and an 8in knife.

Mr Weekes said: “The Bermuda Police Service cannot stress enough the dangers associated with the carrying of bladed articles.”

He said people caught with weapons often insisted they carried the items for personal protection.

“However, evidence shows that carrying bladed articles, such as machetes or knives, actually increases the chances of you being injured,” Mr Weekes said.

Police have lawful powers of stop and search under section 315F of the Criminal Code.

Mr Weekes said officers would continue with the practice “in an effort to prevent persons using these items as weapons whether for protection or for purposes of inflicting harm on others”.

Several people arrested over the weekend appeared this morning in court, with more expected.