Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert last night called for Bermuda?s criminal justice system to be urgently reformed in the wake of a spate of gang violence.

Mr. Furbert unveiled a detailed plan to tackle crime in Bermuda ? produced in response to a televised address by Premier Alex Scott on law and order.

In a five-page statement, the United Bermuda Party (UBP) leader pinpointed three key areas to ?make this Island a safer, healthier place to live?.

He said better prevention and detection of crime was needed, more effective prosecution of crime and meaningful rehabilitation of offenders.

He said: ?The Premier?s address left me very concerned that his government does not have a plan to deal with crime.

?He clearly showed awareness of the problem ? although there was no mention of gangs ? and I took his sentiments and concerns to be very sincere.

?But there was not a hint that the Government is taking concrete steps to tackle crime in the way it needs to be tackled.?

Mr. Furbert said the United Bermuda Party believed in sending the strongest message to criminals that if they broke the law they would be caught, prosecuted and punished.

?To make sure that happens we have to urgently reform the criminal justice system, from the Attorney General?s Chambers to the Department of Public Prosecutions to Corrections,? he said.

?It is essential that these and other organisations in the system have enough trained and experienced people, and enough money to fight crime from the streets to the courts.?

He recommended a raft of measures to stem what he claimed was a ?crisis? on the Island, including:

Performance indicators to measure and improve Police performance

A reduction in the time it takes Police to respond to calls

A visible Police presence in all neighbourhoods.

A capital investment programme to improve or completely rebuild all Police facilities.

Two fully functioning Police stations in St. George?s

Police consultations with community groups.

More support for Crimestoppers, Crime Prevention and the Neighbourhood Watch programmes

An increase to the minimum terms set for prisoners sentenced to life for murder or manslaughter

Legislation to increase the minimum sentence for possession of a firearm or its use in a crime

A law to increase the minimum sentence for sexual assault against children.

Better witness protection legislation and measures to avoid jury intimidation, such as the appointment of a three-judge panel

Increased salaries for prosecutors to attract experienced, skilled lawyers to the job

Improved conditions of service for corrections officers

A modern drug treatment programme for addicted prisoners.

Mr. Furbert claimed gang-style violence had emerged only during the last seven years, under the Progressive Labour Party.

?People are concerned that the country is less safe,? he said. ?The possibility of violence on the streets has crept into their day-to-day thinking.

?Drive-by shootings, the spread of guns, gang culture are becoming part of the landscape. Overall, people are disturbed by the sense that we as a society are heading in the wrong direction; and that not enough is being done to slow, let alone stop the problem.?

He added: ?The United Bermuda Party believes that crime in all its forms ? gang violence, anti-social behaviour and drugs ? represents the greatest threat to our way of life. We have to get tough to protect it.?