Violent offences are a key factor behind the latest crime statistics which show a 12 percent rise, Police said yesterday.

They said they had caught many of the suspects thought to be behind the trend, and they blamed drugs as a key factor sparking the crime spree.

Commissioner Jonathan Smith said a few individuals could be responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.

Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams said: "The factors contributing to this are crimes of violence specifically assaults, GBH, woundings, assault with intent to rob and house breaking.

"Drugs always seem to be a feature behind violent crime. Our efforts to interdict drugs continue. It's been described as a war and it's precisely that."

He said Police were addressing the rise in crime in the way it deployed its forces.

Mr. Smith said although there had been a 12 percent rise over the same period last year, the figures were still better than 1998 and 1999.

The latest statistics show 702 crimes were recorded in the third quarter of 2001 compared to 687 in 2000.

There were 82 violent offences including two murders, 19 robberies, 24 wounding cases and 19 assaults causing grievous bodily harm. There were 96 stealing crimes and 232 breaking offences.

Mr. Adams said a suspect had been remanded in custody for some of the high profile robberies that took place earlier this year while suspects had been put in court in connection with the house breakings.

He said: "In one of our efforts we recovered $3,000 worth of goods. That particular individual was very active in the eastern parishes. Suspects for similar offences in the western and central parishes have been arrested.

"This is only the second time in the last five quarters we have recorded crimes in excess of 700."

Police have revealed a suspect package sent to the Bank of Bermuda on Par-la-Ville Road last Friday was harmless.

Commissioner Jonathan Smith said some calls had been sparked by mail from Singapore, related to a lottery. He said since then calls had reduced dramatically.