More officers have been patrolling the streets over the festive season, Police revealed yesterday, as they warned residents to be on their guard against Christmas crooks.

Street enforcement numbers have been boosted by overlapping shifts and reservist recruits swelling the ranks.

Acting Superintendent Michael DeSilva said the aim was to make the streets of Bermuda safer for Christmas. And he called on partygoers to behave responsibly as they soak up the festive atmosphere.

The operations chief told a press conference: ?We have managed to raise the Policing presence on the streets to promote safety in the community for the holiday season.?

He said the extra numbers have been visible at night since the start of the month. Crime hotspots will continue to be targeted until Christmas Eve, especially stores targeted by robbers and shoplifters.

When pressed, Acting Supt. De Silva could not state how many extra officers had been out on the Christmas beat. But he said reservists had been a ?great help? when resources were stretched to the limit.

The street presence has also been boosted by new recruits, nearing the end of training, taking part in regular foot patrols in a bid to increase public confidence. They started on Monday and this will also run until Christmas Eve.

Acting Supt. DeSilva said Operation Christmas Presence had already snared two shoplifters red-handed.

He also offered a seasonal reminder to thugs who target football matches on the Island. The Police Support Unit alongside extra officers hired by the Bermuda Football Association aim to ensure violence does not scar the holiday sporting calendar, he added.

And drink drivers are more likely to be caught by the increased patrols as Police continued a ?zero tolerance? policy against offenders.

With extra traffic expected on the roads over Christmas weekend, the press conference heard, drivers were yesterday urged to exercise ?care, caution and courtesy?.

Those messages were echoed by Michael Fox, of the Bermuda Road Safety Council.

He revealed how bars had been sent illuminated necklaces as reminders for punters. They carry the message ?RUOK2DRIVE?, in an attempt to encourage drinkers to rely on designated drivers ? who have stayed away from alcohol. Coasters with the same message have also been distributed in bars.

Mr. Fox also called on bar staff to be vigilant about drink drivers.

Sgt. Alex MacDonald, head of the Crime Prevention Unit, said homeowners should be on their guard against Christmas crime.

He called on people to secure their properties, leave a light on if they were going out, don?t let mail pile up and he also warned residents not to record answering machine messages stating they will be away for several days.

And he said presents should not be left in full view ? in case professional thieves took advantage of any unintended hospitality. Women should be vigilant about the dangers of date rape drugs, he added.