Police manpower has been cut because of coronavirus sickness rates – but senior officers insisted that front line services had not been hit.

Acting Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons confirmed that 18 staff members were off because of Covid-19.

Mr Simons said: “The onset of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 and its growing number of variants continue to impact the ranks of the Bermuda Police Service.

“Currently 18 staff members are on Covid-19 related absence, however, at this time normal service levels are being maintained.

“That notwithstanding, as has been the case from the outset, the BPS has in place contingency plans which allow us to effectively deal with absence due to Covid, thus ensuring there is little disruption as possible to frontline policing matters.”

The force employs around 400 officers and 70 support staff.

Concerns have been raised that essential services could be affected by the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus because of the risk of mass infection.

The Royal Gazette reported on Wednesday that 25 hospital staff were off work because of the virus.

The Government has been asked several times for information on Civil Service sickness rates and if services such as trash collection could be cut back because of staff absence, but has not responded.