A 45-year-old St. George's man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Thursday night after allegedly trying to set a bouncer on fire.

The man, who had been barred from Freddie's Pub in King's Square allegedly tried to gain entrance at about 9.30 p.m., Police said.

As the bouncer turned to walk away, Police said he felt something strike him in the face then run onto his shirt. When he saw the culprit with a lighter in his hand, he realised the substance was lighter fluid. A scuffle broke out between the men, but the attacker escaped before the Police arrived.

He was eventually arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The arrest came less than 48 hours after a massive brawl in King's Square left:

Two cruise ship workers, one unconscious, lying injured in the road;

An off-duty Policeman who intervened with a cut which required 14 stitches; and

Minor injuries to two female visitors also involved in the brawl.

The fight appeared to have started in Freddie's, Police said.

One of the Horizon cruise workers received a laceration above the right eye while the the other was found lying unconscious. Owner of Freddie's, Allan Powell, said: "I am at a loss of words. I don't know what to do. St. George's is not safe at night.

"I live 200 yards away from the bar and I drive to work every day. This town is not safe."

Mr. Powell said that a major problem is that there is not sufficient Police presence in the old town. "A full-time Police presence would help the situation, not sporadic, like it is now. When the Police are around, nothing happens. As soon as they leave, the trouble begins.

"Until the MP's, the Police and the Government take this situation seriously, the problems are going to continue. I understand that the Police are doing the best they can with their resources, but their manpower needs to be increased."

Mr. Powell said he had done his best to ensure that his bar was well-regulated and was considering cutting his hours of operation: "The next step is closing at midnight ... I am seriously contemplating closing at night."

He said that he is even considering making Freddies an exclusive club but admitted that he would not want to take that step as it would hinder his and his staff's livelihoods.

Although in recent times, youths have been part of the problem, Mr. Powell was quick to acknowledge that adults in the community are responsible as well.

He reiterated his claim that he is ready to shutting down: "Freddies being on the market is coming closer to fruition."

Mr. Powell said Bermuda would have to stop selling itself as a tourist destination if things like this were to continue:

"When I feel safer in Harlem than I do in my own streets, there's a problem."

However, St. George's town manager Lance Furbert said that since the town meetings held with St. George's youths quite a few problems in the old town have been resolved. He also pointed out that it was residents from other parts of the Island who were causing the problems.

"In a recent incident at the club, all of the eight locals involved were from different parishes.

"This problem isn't confined to St. George's. It's happening all over the Island ... it's unfortunate when people come here and these things happen to them."

Mr. Furbert said the whole community needed to work together: "We're talking to the Police and we feel that the Government is listening. The community needs to come together so that we can find solutions to these problems."