THE Town of St. George's remains one of the safest tourist destinations in the world despite allegations by the Canadian government to the contrary, Deputy Mayor Kenneth Bascome argued this week.

His comments followed news that the country is warning its citizens not to visit the World Heritage Site or risk facing the criminal activity, physical and verbal abuse, and gang violence found there.

Mr. Bascome, however, dismissed the validity of such claims, insisting that the advisory was really issued in response to Bermuda's botched prosecution of suspects in the brutal murder of 17-year-old Canadian Rebecca Middleton in 1996.

Her family is continuing to pursue its legal options and there is the possibility that the case will go before the Court of Appeal at its next sitting.

"It's very unfortunate the incidents that have happened," Mr. Bascome said. "I believe all of Bermuda sympathises with the Middleton family but it's quite upsetting to members of the Corporation and, in particular, the Mayor (Mariea Caisey). And as the Deputy Mayor, someone who has a direct relationship with the young people deemed to carry out these acts of violence, I would like to highlight the fact that (Rebecca's murder) was an isolated incident."

On its web site, the Canadian government advises travellers to Bermuda that: "Robbery, assault, rape, and petty crime occur. There have been a number of serious incidents of sexual assault and acquaintance rape. Do not accept food or drink from strangers or casual acquaintances, as these may be drugged. Use of Rohypnol and other 'date rape' drugs has been confirmed by authorities and reported in the local media. Crime occurs at St. George's World Heritage Site, where verbal and physical abuse has been reported, as well as gang activity."

The Canadian Consulate offered no comment on whether the warning was linked to Rebecca's murder by press time.

Mr. Bascome added that the closure of the St. George's police station had done little to give a sense of security and argued it was possible that any incidents of crime, physical and verbal abuse and gang activity had been experienced by visitors who had gone looking for trouble.

"Do they have any proof that the verbal abuse is coming from Bermudians? I've seen people on vacation who are very abrasive to other visitors.

"And as a former operator of a restaurant/bar, I personally can attest to the fact that there are those persons who come looking for paraphernalia we deem not legal.

"I have been asked on numerous occasions if I know where they can purchase marijuana. I've also been asked by visiting yachtsmen if I could help them find a member of the opposite sex.

"Hopefully, with the discussions the members of the Corporation are having with the police, things will improve as far as the policing and safety of the town is concerned.

"We understand that the police station was not in the best of condition and support the police having surroundings which are conducive to them performing at their best. The police have attempted to put a police presence in the town but it is the opinion of the Corporation that we need a fully- functioning police station within the municipality.

"We have four cruise ships in the course of a week, each carrying approximately 1,500 passengers ¿ combined with the land-based visitors that visit the town and the general residential population, it is our belief that we should have a fully functional police station."

That need aside, Mr. Bascome insisted that the World Heritage Site remains one of the safest tourist destinations on the planet.

"In the grand scheme of things, we believe that St. George's is very safe compared to major places throughout the world," he said. "I would challenge anyone to speak with the police.

"Statistics will prove that St. George's, on a whole, is a very safe place. As a resident of St. George's, I am personally offended that the Canadian government would see the need to inform Canadians not to visit the World Heritage Site.

"I am in contact with tourists on a daily basis and I'm able to tell which are Canadian by their accent. Most of the Canadians I've encountered are very happy with their experience in St. George's and Bermuda as a whole.

"In the grand scheme of things, even with the rise of antisocial behavioural problems which we Bermudians believe to be escalating, Bermuda is still a relatively safe country, although we will have crime no matter what we do, because some people live outside the realms of normalcy."

As a member of the community, Mr. Bascome admitted to having "a bias" about St. George's but insisted it played an important part to the Bermuda vacation.

"I personally believe that because of the manner in which the case was botched, (the Middleton family) has a bad taste in its mouth about Bermuda and St. George's. They feel what happened with her started in St. George's," he said referring to the fact that the teenager accepted a lift with strangers after a night out in the town.

"But I don't feel it's fair for them to single out St. George's as a place not to be visited. If a visitor comes and doesn't experience the hospitality, old world charm and individuality and uniqueness of the people there, they lose the opportunity of having a true Bermuda vacation."