Police have pledged to be out in force tonight as Bermudians across the Island ring in the New Year.

?The approach that the Bermuda Police Service will be taking to this year?s New Year?s Eve celebrations will be to ensure that public safety is of paramount importance and that there is an effective response to any crime and disorder,? said Commissioner of Police Jonathan Smith.

Last year?s New Year?s festivities on Front Street ended with a bang as violence erupted between youth gang groups. Police say they are determined to stave off any violence or criminal activity this year.

Mr. Smith said violators would be ?arrested and detained? if they commit any criminal acts or act in a disorderly or violent nature.

Public Safety Minister Randy Horton reiterated Mr. Smith?s warning. He said: ?I wish to state emphatically that the Bermuda Police Service will be doing all that it can to prevent occurrences of this nature this year. The full weight of the law will be brought to bear against anyone who chooses to interrupt the peace with acts of violence and other forms of criminal activity.?

Mr. Horton said, ?all is not well in Paradise? and described many incidents that had afflicted the Island and had left many residents ?recoiling in horror?.

He mentioned the recent machete wielding at Devonshire Recreation Club, the violence following the recent concert at White Hill field and the amount of firearms that had made its way onto the Island.

Superintendent Roseanda Jones said offenders will be arrested if found with firearms or weapons.

?We are strongly advising people against going out with weapons. Anyone found in possession of an offensive weapon will be arrested.

?We are also asking parents to be vigilant concerning the whereabouts of their young children. Again, last year there were several children, 13 and 14-years-old, wandering around Front Street at 4 a.m.,? she added.

To ensure that all safety measures are established, Supt. Jones said Police officers will be out in force this evening and on into the early hours of January 1.

?We have extended both the late and night shifts to overlap and provide additional coverage during the peak periods. We will have two fully trained Police Support Units on duty throughout the night to effectively deal with any outbreaks of violence.?

Mr. Smith added: ?We will have two Police Support Units working on the night and these two units will be supported by Watch officers working from the three stations, officers from CID, Narcotics Division, Community Beat Officers, Marine Unit, Intelligence Division, Vehicle Crime Unit, Police Reserves and other Police staff to form support teams.

?At the peak period up until 2 a.m. there will be as many as 150 officers on duty dealing with the wide range of policing activity.?

Motorists who insist on driving while drunk will also feel the effects of a heightened Police presence.

With ten road fatalities recorded so far this year ? all except one attributed to alcohol or speed ? Supt. Jones said the Traffic Enforcement Unit would be out to discourage speeders and drunken driving.

January 1 also marks the beginning of the penalty phase of the seat belt law and when asked whether Police would be specifically stopping seat belt violators Mr. Smith said: ?We are looking to enforce the law no matter what that law is.?

Police have also been in contact with licensed premises that are holding parties to guarantee functions will run on the liquor permit they received. Police also advised organisers on safety measures.

?We will be conducting licensed premise checks throughout the night, and we will take action against those who commit offences against the Liquor License Act,? Ms Jones said.

?To reiterate my earlier comments, New Year?s Eve should be a night of celebration and I appeal to all those who will celebrate this occasion to do so responsibly. The Police Service will be very busy working to ensure that public order prevails ? but equally, we will deal very firmly with those who choose to break the law on the night,? Mr. Smith said.