The Home Affairs Ministry been given a $6 million boost to its budget which will help fund eleven new officers for the Police Support Unit to round up gang members.

But Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Randy Horton also signalled an expansion to the Community Beat Officer programme as the force seeks builds links with communities.

Mr. Horton said on Friday: ?The Government has adopted a zero-tolerance attitude to crime and violence and is committed towards its eradication from our shores.?

He said $1.4 million would double the number of full-time PSU officers to 22 to help counter gangs and anti-social behaviour. Since its inception in 2001 the unit, which started part-time, has arrested 3,000 people.

?The Bermuda Police Service intends to maintain an emphasis on arresting known gang members and associates for a variety of offences and the deliberate targeting of the serious and violent crime.

?Significantly, the PSU was responsible for 131 of the 958 drugs seizures Island-wide made during 2004, so there is certainly value for money here.

?The people of Bermuda will be aware that week in and week out, the Police Support Unit has been on the front line dealing with public order offences from one end of the Island to the other.

?No neighbourhood has been neglected. From Dockyard to Mount Area in St. David?s, the Police Support has made its presence felt in a most meaningful way.?

Mr. Horton said the Community Beat Officer (CBO) programme will be expanded to help foster community links.

?The Government firmly believes allocation of funding for the continuation of the CBO programme will lead to a more responsive community that has faith in the Bermuda Police Service, a reduction in crime levels in the various communities and an increased apprehension rate of offenders.?

He said an excellent example of the work of the CBO can be seen in the Cambridge Road area of Sandys.