The murder of Shaki Crockwell has pushed the lack of a witness protection programme on the Island back to the forefront.

Yesterday detectives appealed for witnesses to break their silence, reminding them of their "civic duty" to report information.

A culture of silence envelopes Bermuda, and for the families of those murdered, they can spend years waiting for justice. The parents of Shaundae Jones, 20, and Jason Lightbourne, 18, are still waiting for witnesses to come forward.

Mr. Jones was shot in the chest leaving a nightclub at Dockyard on April 27, 2003. Mr. Lightbourne was gunned down in Ord Road, Paget, just over a year ago, on July 23, 2006. Despite a $50,000 reward and guarantee of anonymity, no one has yet come forward with information leading to Mr. Lightbourne's killer.

Detectives in Bermuda say they are constantly frustrated at the community's silence towards violent crime. Yesterday Detective Superintendent Randy Liverpool encouraged the Government to further their efforts towards establishing a witness protection scheme.

Det. Supt. Liverpool said: "It is well known that we have been having difficulties with witnesses wanting to come forward in an inquiry. The Police Service would love to find a way to change that and a lot of consultation is being looked at at the moment.

"A witness protection scheme is one of the things being considered and that is something we would welcome if it would encourage people to come forward."

Shawn Crockwell, United Bermuda Party chairman and a second cousin of Shaki Crockwell, said: "In a small community it's always difficult and people can't be relocated so easily on Bermuda. "If the Government does have a proposal that could provide better protection, I would certainly welcome it, but it has to be protection that is tangible and real."

In May, the Ministry of Justice organised a conference aimed at 'Modernising the Criminal Justice system in Bermuda'. It discussed implementing a 'No Witness, No Justice' victim and witness care programme on the Island, following a similiar initiative in the UK in 2003.

At the time Justice Minister and Attorney General Philip Perinchief said vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime could be moved abroad prior to trials to prevent intimidation. Continued protection may also be considered under legislative measures to improve the Island's criminal justice system.

A Government spokeswoman said last night that a national victim and witness care programme was under review. She said: "A committee has been formed to look at establishing a 'No Witness, No Justice' programme and a victim and witness care unit."