Police and security guards swooped on him as he shot Ross Perot's luxury Bermudian home.

Mr. Bob Gomel said expensive camera equipment, and film, were wrecked during several hours of torment.

And one officer allegedly told him: "People disappear in your kind of circumstances.'' The professional lensman, 58, told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I was a picture of calm on the outside, but underneath I was very nervous.

"It was very intimidating. I was on my own with no back-up or support.'' The alleged incident follows a tightening of security at the Texas billionaire's Tucker's Town home.

US presidential hopeful Mr. Perot, with a reputation as a ruthless businessman, owns two properties straddling Winsor Beach.

It is understood Bermuda Police are involved in the heightened security measures.

Winsor Beach belongs to the Mid Ocean Club, and is guarded 24 hours a day by its own personnel.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette was told helicopters had been banned by Civil Aviation officials and Police from low-flying above Mr. Perot's home.

It comes after Mr. Gomel hired a helicopter last Friday to take aerial shots of the properties.

Mr. Gomel, on assignment for a major American publication, said the clash with security personnel and Police occurred the next day.

They confronted him, he claimed, shortly after he was forced to beach a boat he had hired to photograph Mr. Perot's home from the sea.

"The weather was very bad and I dropped anchor on Winsor Beach. Nobody was around, so I proceeded to go about my business and take pictures.

"I turned up a road and ran into two security people -- one uniformed, the other not.

"They told me I was in private property. I said I needed assistance with the boat, and they then took down all my details.

"One of the officers accompanied me back to the boat and tried to launch it in a manner which caused it to capsize and flood all my camera equipment.'' Mr. Gomel, a freelance photographerand ex-staffer for Life Magazine, reckoned gear worth up to $7,500 was ruined.

He believed both officers were from Mr. Perot's security team.

"It cannot be disputed that what happened was a bit of very sloppy seamanship,'' he said.

Mr. Gomel, drenched from pouring rain, said a taxi was then called to return him to his hotel, Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort.

But the cab driver was soon told to leave, and a Police Inspector arrived.

"He suggested to me the privacy of an individual was being violated. As far as I was concerned I was not breaking any laws.'' Mr. Gomel said the officer accused him of "buzzing'' Mr. Perot's home in the helicopter.

"He also suggested I was in a dangerous position, and that people disappear and are never heard of again in these kind of circumstances. It was a veiled threat.'' Mr. Gomel added he was then escorted by Police back to his hotel -- to be faced with a $2,000 damage bill from the boat rental firm.

His ordeal was still not over, however. As he arrived at the airport yesterday to fly back to Houston he was detained by Police again.

"I was told I couldn't leave the country until I had paid the $2,000. "But I replied I considered the claim invalid, and that in any case it was a civil matter. The Police officer appeared to back off, and I was eventually allowed to board.'' Yesterday Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale said he had no personal knowledge of Mr. Gomel's experience. "Anyone with a complaint should write to the Police Commissioner or report to a local Police station,'' he said.

Commercial helicopter pilot Mr. Michael Smatt, who had been hired by Mr.

Gomel, yesterday said he had been approached by Police and Civil Aviation officers.

"We had a very amicable discussion and I am now restricted from flying over Mr. Perot's property. I am willing to respect someone's right to privacy.''